Aslam appointed as acting health minister

Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Mohamed Aslam has been appointed as the acting health minister after Abdulla Ameen decided to step aside from the role following a corruption probe into the ministry’s Covid-19 related expenditure.

While President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih appointed Aslam to the interim position on Tuesday, Chief Communications Strategist at the President’s Office, Ibrahim Hood has confirmed this to RaajjeMV.

Health Minister Abdulla Ameen decided tostep asidefrom duties on Monday evening, shortly after the president ordered a probe into the findings of the Auditor General’s Office’s compliance report on the health ministry’s Covid-19 related expenditure.

The report revealed possible corruption in acquiring 75 ventilators from overseas.

Hood, had on Sunday, assured that the government will not hesitate to take action against those responsible “regardless of those involved,” once the compliance report is officially submitted.

While Aslam has been appointed acting health minister, Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail was appointed as the interim tourism minister in early July following Ali Waheed’s dismissal from the post over sexual assault allegations. Dr. Abdulla Mausoom has since been appointed tourism minister, officially.