First Lady Fazna Ahmed has stated that the society is progressively becoming aware and sympathetic towards those who endure ailments related to mental health.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of a mental health awareness program conducted by the Mental Health Awareness Foundation, as the honorable guest, the First Lady said that better efforts are being put to provide effective treatment for such illnesses.

The ceremony for the “Mental Health Gap Training” was held at Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) on Thursday and focused on creating social awareness regarding mental health issues.

During the ceremony, Fazna stressed on the importance of safeguarding the confidentiality and information of all patients struggling with their mental health and urged everyone to promptly report any related cases through the proper channels.

Reiterating the current government’s dedication to fulfill its pledge to improve the health sector, Fazna said that mental health is comprised as an important element in the pledge. She went on to acknowledge the efforts put into promoting public awareness on the subject and the steps being taken to protect the human rights of mental health patients.

Further, Fazna urged medical practitioners to persevere in their treatment despite difficulties they face such as the lack of an official code of ethics designated for mental health practitioners. She acknowledged the challenges they face in their work, assuring that work is underway to create a paper outlining such a policy.

While providing well-organized treatment plans in order to support mental-health patients is included in President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s pledges, the government inaugurated Maldives’ National Mental Health Institute in line with the first-100-day agenda.

The administration also expanded Aasandha coverage to include treatment and adequate medication for patients suffering from mental health illnesses.