Ameen: Biggest challenges to health sector is negligence by previous government

Health Minister Abdulla Ameen has said that the biggest challenges for the health industry are faced due to the neglect it faced in the hands of the previous administration.

Health Minister Ameen was speaking at the parliament where he was summoned to answer the questions of R. Maduvvari MP Adam Shareef regarding the health centers in his constituency. Minister Ameen also answered some questions by other MPs and stated that the health sector was very weak when this administration took office.

"The health centers in some islands were very weak. Even if you look at the infrastructure, building, employees, and equipment, I believe these centers were operating very poorly" said Minister Ameen.

The Minister stated that while there were 187 facilities for medical service 60-70 percent of the places do not provide adequate services. Minister Ameen also stated that the current administration was trying to order everything and accomplish things as much as the budget allows.

Minister Ameen sharply criticized the previous administration by saying "The biggest challenges faced by the health sector today is due to the neglect it faced during the previous administration."

The Minister also criticized the previous administration by stating that as the election day neared the previous administration had changed 28 health facilities to 24 hour operating facilities without providing the necessary funds, resources, and manpower to run it.

"When the facilities were changed to 24-hour facilities, only the name board was changed. How can we operate such a facility for 24 hours with four nurses? Where do we get the money?" asked the Minister.

"Things cannot be solved by pouring money on them," said the Minister before stating that the issues the health sector is currently facing can only be solved by thinking ahead.

The Minister's words were met with strong opposition from some MPs who loudly voiced their displeasure during today's session.