Vice President Faisal Naseem has said that establishing an efficient and decentralised healthcare system “is imperative to ensure that quality healthcare is easily available for all citizens living in all regions”.

The vice president made the statement during a meeting with the senior management of Addu Equatorial Hospital (AEH) on Saturday morning, during his one-day visit to southernmost Seenu and Gnaviyani atolls.

Naseem also reaffirmed the government's pledge to provide dignified lives for all citizens, by ameliorating difficulties faced by the public, during his meeting with AEH officials.

Further reiterating its goal of establishing “an efficient and decentralized” healthcare system, the vice president emphasized that this “is imperative to ensure that quality healthcare is easily available for all citizens living in all regions of the Maldives”.

Acknowledging some of the obstacles hindering maximum efficiency at AEH, the VP stated that the government “is actively seeking solutions” for these issues.

He also urged the hospital officials to include and prioritise treatments and services for persons with special needs as upgrades continue at the hospital.

While he highlighted the performance of AEH healthcare staff on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic and expressed his sincere gratitude for their services, the vice president also praised the State Trading Organization (STO)’s efforts to ensure that medical supplies and treatment are available nationwide.

AEH officials shared their concerns with the vice president during the meeting, including difficulties in sourcing human resources and lack of capacity to provide services to all citizens in the region in the long run. They also shared ideas relevant to improving the hospital's administration and overall performance.

Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services, Aishath Mohamed Didi, the Minister of Finance, Ibrahim Ameer, and the Minister of Health, Ahmed Naseem, are accompanying the vice president on the trip, while Mayor of Addu City, Abdullah Sodiq joined the meeting with AEH officials.

The vice president is to travel to Addu City’s Hulhudhoo-Meedhoo district to inaugurate a project to develop a Detoxification Centre during the one-day trip, as well as to Fuvahmulah City in Gnaviyani atoll where he will tour the Waste Collection Centre operated by the Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO) and check the progress of the Road Development Project as well as meet with Fuvahmulah Hospital management.