Functions and operations of the National Drug Agency (NDA), previously overseen under the mandate of the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services, have been shifted under the Ministry of Health.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih formalized the shift of NDA from the Ministry of Gender to the Ministry of Health on Wednesday.

Aishath Rasheed, who had been serving as State Minister for Gender previously while overseeing NDA has now been appointed as the State Minister for Health following the shifting of NDA under the Health Ministry. Deputy Minister of Gender Abdul Shukoor Abdul Hakeem was also appointed as the Deputy Minister of Health on Wednesday. Aishath Rasheed and Abdul Shukoor Abdul Hakeem had been assigned the task of overseeing NDA at the Ministry of Gender, and it is believed that they will be fulfilling similar roles at the Ministry of Health.

Members of the public have been vocal in criticizing the inefficiency of NDA, and the Solih administration has since pledged to make efforts to resolve the issue. It had been included in the incumbent administrations manifesto to close of all doors that lead Maldivian citizens to substances abuse, and to neutralize any external influence being exerted to prevent relevant authorities from fulfilling their duties in a professional manner.