Govt collaborates with UNDP for bulk import of quality medicine

The Maldives has begun collaborating with international organizations such as the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) for the bulk import of import high-quality medicine, says Health Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel.

Khaleel, who is accompanying President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on his current tour of southern Maldives, made the remark while addressing a gathering in GDh. Madaveli on Tuesday evening.

Speaking at the gathering, Khaleel noted that providing access to high-quality medicine is one of President Muizzu’s electoral pledges. He referred to the decision made by the cabinet on February 4 to expand the 'bulk procurement' approach for obtaining essential pharmaceuticals.

It was also decided that under the new system, the State Trading Organization (STO) would ensure the continuous availability of these medicines from all healthcare hospitals, centers, and pharmacies established in all inhabited islands.

“The high-quality medicine currently imported into Maldives is a bit expensive. But if it can be procured in bulk, and especially within such a net, then high-quality medicine can be procured at a cheaper rate. This is the assurance he [President Muizzu] has given to the people,” said Khaleel.

Khaleel said the administration will also soon deliver President Muizzu’s pledge to establish laboratory services in islands, based on the size of the population.

“In Sha Allah, the service will be launched in four islands this week,” he said, without specifying the islands.

President Muizzu had recently announced plans to import medicine straight from manufactures. Speaking to reports after a trip to China in January, he said that the plan was already in motion, and that it would end dependency on a single country for import of medicine.

He has also resolved to set up warehouses to store drugs meeting the system's mandated requirements, establish a central monitoring system using pioneering technology and update the research on the quantity and quality of the ingredients in medicines.