President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has assured to resolve the issues faced by Dhaalu atoll residents, in transferring the sickly to capital city Malé in emergency situations.

Speaking to atoll residents during the ceremony held to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of health services in Dhaalu Atoll, President Solih stressed that despite 50 years of service, he does not believe health services are provided in the atoll in adequate quality.

As such, he noted that there are numerous challenges surfacing for Kudahuvadhoo island in terms of development and highlighted the need to initiate continuous development for the betterment of the, island community, to accommodate for the growth of its population.

Updates were also shared on several proposed development projects for the islands including road development, an upgrade of facilities in schools, construction of the ferry terminal and more housing units, a designated fish market as well as establishing more sports and recreational facilities for the island’s youth community.

Further, the president said that the role played by atoll hospitals in combating the risk of non-communicable diseases and smoking, is central.

Having completely eradicated communicable diseases from the country is one of the most notable achievements in the history of medicine, said Solih.

Stressing that most Maldivians die from non-communicable diseases according to statistics, Solih said that collective efforts are needed to reduce risks associated with death by cancer, strokes, lung and kidney diseases.

Further, he shed light on the importance of working together as a community to tackle the risk of such diseases, at a massive scale.

During the function on Wednesday, the President gave away certificates to staff of Dhaalu Atoll Hospital who have been serving there for the past 25 years.

Dhaalu Atoll Hospital was initially opened as a Health Centre on July 21, 1969.