President Mohamed Nasheed has said the positive impact of the government’s social protection programme was now visible, and the government was encouraged and reassured by the success of the programme.
He made the remarks, speaking in Kelaa of North Thiladhunmathi Atoll today, the first stop in his tour of Northern atolls that he began this morning.
Speaking in the context of Kelaa, the President said money injected in to Kelaa economy every month in the form of social security payments were instrumental in revitalizing and sustaining the island’s economy, especially during and after the 2009 economic downturn.
Under the government’s pledge to provide affordable healthcare, 368 Kelaa residents are registered in the Madhana social health insurance programme. In addition, a total of 123 residents receive the old age pension of Rf2000 initiated by this administration.
The President said the one of the objectives of the social security programme was to ensure that everyone had access to essential services.
During the visit to Kelaa, the President opened the Kelaa Power House managed by Upper North Utilities Company, and visited Kelaa Health Centre and enquired about the well-being of some of the patients admitted to the centre.
