Vice President Faisal Naseem on Saturday emphasised the success of the administration’s foreign policy and stated that it had been a high priority of the administration to enhance international acceptance of the Maldives’ foreign policy. He made the remarks at a function in the N.D. Abdulla Abdul Hakeem Ophthalmology Center to mark the ongoing skills and service enhancement work under the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center Assistance and Cooperation Programme.
Speaking at the event, the Vice President recalled that the Maldives was not in a favourable position regarding foreign relations when President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration took office four years ago. He stated that the administration had made exceptional progress in its engagements with the international community, describing the levels of achievements in such a short time as "unprecedented in recent memory."
The Vice President noted that the centralisation of healthcare to the capital, Malé City, by previous administrations had posed numerous severe challenges. Speaking on the administration’s decentralisation efforts, he said that the administration pledged to eliminate the need for travel to the capital city to seek medical assistance. He highlighted the administration’s ambitious efforts towards realising this goal by developing regional tertiary hospitals.
The Vice President also highlighted efforts by the administration to provide education and training opportunities for healthcare professionals and reiterated that the administration plans to raise the salaries and allowances of healthcare professionals starting on May 1.
The Vice President also highlighted the assistance and cooperation provided by the government of China through the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center Assistance and Cooperation Programme. He also expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government for its assistance and cooperation and his confidence in strengthening China-Maldives relations over the years.
