Speaking in Kurendhoo of Lhaviyani Atoll, on the government’s social security programme, President Mohamed Nasheed has said the aim of the programme was to ensure that every citizen of the country led their lives with honour and dignity.
He said broadening Madhana health insurance scheme to include the entire population was aimed at making available healthcare facilities affordable for all, especially the poorest sections and the most vulnerable, in order to safeguard the dignity of citizens.
“We don’t see how a citizen can maintain her dignity and honour while going from one business man to the other with the prescription [asking for help to buy medication]”, the President said.
Acknowledging that the quality of available healthcare was not up to par with people’s expectation, he underscored that one third of the country’s population, who were below the poverty line could not afford even these inferior healthcare facilities.
“A country would not develop when its population live in poverty…We cannot develop this country when one third of its population live in poverty”, He added.
Continuing in this regard, he said the government pledged to make healthcare accessible and affordable, and to establish a social security programme to eradicate poverty.
Addressing in Kurendhoo, the first leg of the tour of Lhaviyani Atoll that he began this afternoon, the President also highlighted the development programmes planned for the development of the island.
He revealed that a telemedicine system would be established at Kurendhoo this year, and the work of the island’s harbour would begin this year.
Later this afternoon, the President has arrived in Hinnavaru of Lhaviyani Atoll after concluding his Kurendhoo visit.