President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih stated on Thursday that the administration would significantly enhance access to healthcare through its efforts to expand healthcare services across the country. He made these remarks while speaking at the function to mark World Health Day 2023.
First Lady Fazna Ahmed, senior officials of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the Maldives, and the Ministry of Health attended the function at Dharubaaruge.
Speaking at the function, President Solih highlighted the administration's response to the Covid-19 pandemic and its efforts to expand and enhance healthcare services nationwide. The President noted that the administration is developing tertiary hospitals in five regions and that another seven hospitals are being developed with the assistance of the Kuwait Fund.
Comparing the state of public health in the past with the present, the President stated that communicable diseases were the leading causes of death in the past. He added that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for most deaths today and stressed the importance of researching to identify the reasons for the increase in NCDs.
The theme of World Health Day 2023 is "Health for All." Shedding light on the theme, President Solih stated that it aligned with the administration's efforts to revive primary healthcare. He added that public health was at its peak when significant efforts were made to promote primary healthcare across the country.
President Solih also noted that WHO was marking its 75th anniversary this year and highlighted its significant role over the years in promoting healthcare and public health in the Maldives. At the ceremony, Ms Maimoona Aboobakuru, the Director General of the Health Protection Agency (HPA), presented a summary report of the administration's Covid-19 response to the President.
