Viral fever in Gaadhiffushi, difficulty in finding doctors

Gaadhuffushi island council has expressed concern regarding the difficulties faced in finding doctors at a time when a viral fever was spreading fast on the island.

Gaadhiffushi council president Hassan Sinan estimated that around 15 cases of the viral fever were noticed on the island in the last week. The council president also stated that there usually was a doctor present on the island but the doctor had to leave due to some issues and expressed concern at the difficulty of finding a doctor when contacted by “Sun” today.

“The resident doctor is on vacation. One of the two doctors present on Thimarafushi was arranged as a substitute, but since the remaining doctor was out sick, and the viral fever was also spreading in Thimarafushi, the doctor that was arranged for Gaadhiffushi had to go back,” said Sinan.

The doctor from Thimarafushi managed to come back to Gaadhiffushi just once for two or three hours after that, according to Sinan. Sinan then noted that a temporary doctor was arranged for Gaadhiffushi from a nearby island last night.

“My only concern is not the viral fever that is spreading. Things can happen without a warning. There needs to be a doctor present at all times.” said Sinan.

Shortages of doctors in islands is not a new case in the Maldives. However, the government has included MVR 27 million for the health sector to develop and train professionals of the sector as well as to attaining equipment in the state budget for 2020.