Vice President Faisal Naseem has inaugurated the Southern Child Development Centre in southernmost Addu City on Thursday.

With an aim to enhance efforts to provide better services to children with special needs, the center was launched virtually in Addu City. Participating in the virtual ceremony the vice president highlighted that the incumbent administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, continues to make great strides in health sector development nationwide.

During his address at the ceremony, VP Naseem stressed on the significance of early care, education and child development, regarding which he spoke extensively on the government’s vision for the development of the healthcare sector outside of the Greater Malé Region.

In light of this he noted that the government has been delivering much-needed development to the healthcare system in outlying atolls, especially in providing enhanced services and better care for children with special needs and disabilities.

Touching down on the Solih administration’s pledge to decentralize healthcare services, VP Naseem highlighted that ongoing development of tertiary hospitals in five regions across the country.

The vice president stated that the improvement of services previously unavailable to a large percentage of the population is a revolutionary achievement which offers efficiency for atoll residents.

The initiative has paved way for atoll residents to seek medical care across the nation while cutting down travel expenses, VP Naseem said, going on to reveal that the president remains determined and committed to acknowledge and address public concerns pertaining to such issues.

During the event the vice president also shed light on the government’s vision to empower local councils through decentralized governance and the improvement of services in all sectors.

Further, stressing on the importance of early detection, referral, investigation and diagnosis of medical conditions in children especially disabled and special needs children, VP Naseem unveiled plans to develop a similar facility in the north of Maldives.

With this being said, the government envisions to expand similar services nationwide, under its initiative to build capacity within the healthcare system across the island nation.

As the newest addition to ‘Dhamana Veshi’, the urban primary health center in the southernmost city, the facility will provide speech therapy, occupational therapy, clinical psychology and physiotherapy services and is located in the Maradhoo-Feydhoo district.

Similar to the Child Development Centre in Hulhumalé Hospital, the Southern Child Development Centre will feature services revolving around children and families with development issues.

The center promises comprehensive assessments, individual programmes and follow-up services as well.

VP Naseem was joined by Ahmed Naseem, the Minister of Health, Ali Shiyam, Minister at the President’s Office, Dr. Musthafa Luthufee, Special Advisor on Social Policy at the President’s Office as well as senior management staff at the Addu Equatorial Hospital and other relevant agencies.