President ratifies the 1st amendment to the Health Service Act

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the first amendment to the Health Services Act (29/2015) on Tuesday. The bill was passed in the 32nd sitting of the second session of the Parliament on August 22, 2024.

The bill expands the objectives of the national health service system to ensure that public health services meet stringent safety and quality standards, thereby safeguarding the physical and mental well-being of citizens.

The amendment establishes the role of Director General of Health Services, who will manage the national health service system under the guidance of the Minister of Health. It outlines the qualifications, duties, responsibilities, and powers of the Director General, establishing a clear legal framework for the position. Also, to ensure the sustainable and efficient delivery of services, the amendment mandates the creation of regulations, frameworks, and guidelines aligned with the objectives of the national health service system.

The amendment further specifies that primary, secondary, and tertiary services will be provided under a comprehensive preventative and general health care system and tasks the Health Protection Agency with developing guidelines for each service tier, reviewing them annually, and publishing them in the Government Gazette.

Additionally, the Commissioner of Quality Assurance will oversee continuous service provision and adherence to international standards across all centers, including preventative care system and technical staff oversight.

The amendment also specifies that if a Director General of Health Services was appointed before the ratification of this amendment and meets the specified requirements, that individual will be officially recognized as the Director General from the date of ratification.

Following the ratification, the amendment has been published in the Government Gazette and will come into effect six months from the date of ratification, and all amendments to existing laws and regulations must be completed within three months of ratification and will also be published in the Government Gazette.