Role of atoll hospitals crucial in combatting risk of non-communicable diseases and smoking: President

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that the role of atoll hospitals is crucial in combatting the risk of non-communicable diseases and smoking.

Speaking at the special ceremony at Kudahuvadhoo of South Nilandhe Atoll held to celebrate the golden jubilee of Dhaalu Atoll Hospital, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said that medical treatment has improved much since its inception in the Maldives in the 1970s. President Solih said that one of the most notable of achievements in the field is to have completely eradicated communicable diseases from the country.

The President emphasized on the extraordinary role played by the then community health workers, nurses and health practitioners.The President noted that there are numerous challenges to having a healthy lifestyle. Citing statistics, President Solih stressed that most Maldivians die from non-communicable diseases. In that regard, he added that a collective effort is needed to reduce the risks associated with death by cancer, strokes, lung diseases and kidney diseases which are non-communicable diseases.

“Smoking is a huge challenge in improving public health. It is a huge risk. We need to stand up against that risk. I believe that hospitals such as these can play a pivotal role in that," He said. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih stressed that the issue could not be solved if we deem medicinal care to be the only solution.

President Solih emphasized that to tackle the significant risk of non-communicable diseases and smoking, we must work together as a community at different levels - at the island scale, atoll scale and on a national level.

Highlighting the numerous challenges faced by the island of Kudahuvadhoo in terms of developmental efforts, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih stressed on the need for continuous development for the progress of the island to accommodate for the growth in population.

In his speech, the President shared updates of some of the proposed developmental projects focused on Kudahuvadhoo, including the development of roads, upgraded facilities at the School, ferry terminal construction, building housing units, designated fish market and establishing more sports and recreational facilities for the youth.

During the function, the President gave away certificates to the 12 staff of Dhaalu Atoll Hospital who served the hospital for the past 25 years.

Dhaalu Atoll Hospital was initially opened as a Health Centre on the 21st of July 1969.