Comprehensive steps in health sector one year into the current administration

The first year of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration saw comprehensive measures implemented in the health sector; many of which were unexpected by people. Thus, it is the health sector that saw the most changes in the span of the past year.

When the development of the health sector is mentioned – most people’s minds go to building new or expanding existing hospitals, increasing doctors and nurses or the introduction of new healthcare services that have long required travel abroad. However, President Muizzu’s administration, in one year, has implemented many measures for the health sector that should have been implemented long ago.

One such example is the ban of vaping and e-cigarette devices in the Maldives which is closely linked to the health of citizens. Another example is the increase on the import duty levied on cigarettes, which has raised its prices significantly. Apart from this, several crucial health services have been launched by the current administration in the past 52 weeks.

In an exclusive interview to Sun, Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim said President Muizzu has made approximately 27 pledges for the health sector while the total number of pledges made in front of different podiums totals at approximately 130. Nazim assured that Health Ministry was undertaking efforts to fulfill all pledges made for the sector within these five years, with guidance from the President.

“As you may know, many of the pledges made for the health sector have to proceed in a sustainable manner. The past year was a very successful year for the health sector,” he said.

Ban on use and import of vapes

The government has amended the law to ban the import of devices used for vaping along with spare parts of such devices starting from November 15th while the use, possession, production, sale and advertisement of devices used for vaping will be banned starting from December 15th.

The amendment also introduced an MVR 50,000 fine for distribution of e-cigarettes or vaping devices to a minor.

“The whole population believes this need to be done. I do not believe there is any reason to delay this,” Nazim remarked regarding the ban.

He added that he could not comprehend why former administrations had been hesitant to take such measures. On the contrary, he said the current administration took the measure for the sake of the nation in order to ensure an entire generation is not lost.

Doubling the import duty on cigarettes and bidi (traditional cigarettes)

The law was amended to levy a 200 percent duty on general tobacco and prepared tobacco products excluding specific items listed below.

• Cigarettes: 50 percent duty, plus MVR 8 per cigarette.
• Bidi (traditional cigarettes): 50 percent duty, plus MVR 8 per bidi.
• Heated tobacco products and consumable tobacco sticks: 50 percent duty, plus MVR 8 per stick.

Root, the highest importer of cigarettes to the Maldives, had previously been selling a cigarette carton for MVR 995. Now, the price has been raised MVR 2,240 per carton. Meanwhile, cigarette packs are now priced between MVR 245 to MVR 250 per pack. They were previously priced between MVR 95 to MVR 100.  

Revenue earned from tobacco products is expected to see a significant increase with these changes with the state expected to earn MVR 1.05 billion next year alone.

Commencement of air ambulance service

The current administration commences air ambulance service to transport patients in emergency within 14 weeks of assuming office, on March 15th.

The 24-hour service was launched two aircrafts; a converted DHC-8-200 aircraft and a seaplane.

It is equipped with necessary resources as well as a 15-member team of trained medical personnel, including doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians, and can carry up to two patients per flight.

Moreover, a new batch of specialized equipment donated by Ooredoo Maldives last month has expanded the service's capacity to respond effectively to critical emergencies.  

Over 437 patients have been transported on the air ambulance since the service was launched.

Implementation of bulk procurement policy for medicine

The bulk procurement policy which was launched in July 22nd is a collaborative initiative between the Maldivian government and UNDP. It aimed at supplying quality medication required by the public via STO by bulk procuring under a pool procurement arrangement.

As per Minister Nazim, these works, due to their nature, will never reach completion and will always need development and expansion day by day.

“Carrying out work in this trajectory is the other thing. Health Ministry will assume responsibility for this. There is no starting treatment without strengthening the medication procurement system,” he said.

Reforming Aasandha

“It is a concern of the public that the scheme was being leveraged for undue benefits. If this were to remain, Aasandha cannot be used to its capacity to provide medical care for citizens. It is something I wonder about, why it had remained this way all this time?” Minister Nazim questioned.

Aasandha has always been a scheme that is a financial burden to the state. The current administration launched efforts to reform Aasandha in order to put a stop to the state insurance scheme being leveraged for undue benefits.

In this regard, the government has announced the reduction of prices of 250 essential medicines covered under Aasandha. Implemented in phases, the prices of 87 medicines were reduced on November 1st, and the prices of the remaining 126 medicines will be reduced starting November 24th.

As per the government, the price adjustments will save Aasandha an estimated MVR 220 million annually.

“The budget by the Parliament for Aasandha in the past 10 years had not been enough for that year. The scheme was not run without injecting additional funds from a supplementary budget. This is an indication that the system is not operating in the desired manner. That the money was not being used right. It is not an option to let Aasandha remain without reformative action,” he stressed.

Ratification of Food Safety Act

The preparation and sale of food in unhygienic conditions is extremely common in the Maldives with many such cases surfacing recently. One of the main reasons behind this is migrants taking control of the food sector.

Minister Nazim noted that the current administration was undertaking efforts to amend some laws and regulations from the health sector as it marks one year since assuming office. One of the amendments that have already been ratified in this regard, is the Food Safety Act. The Minister said Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA), reestablished under the act with more powers, is enforcing the law accordingly. On this note, he said the efforts were proceeding at a fast pace after allocating staff for it within the Civil Service as instructed by the President.

“Matters in the health sector are closely linked to the lifestyle of our people. Many social issues and food; they all fall within the health sector. If these things are not monitored under comprehensive laws and regulations, it poses a huge obstruction to the health sector,” he added.

Mental Health

Minister Nazim noted that many individuals were seeking the services of the 24-hour helpline established for mental health needs. In this regard, he detailed that over 1,000 individuals have sought help from the helpline since its launch back in February. He added that expansion of the service is next.

Apart from this, the Minister said that the development of the mental health hospital pledged by President Muizzu will commence within the next four months.

“In my view, the past 52 weeks, or one year, can be seen as a period during which key objectives under President Muizzu's health policies were successfully accomplished,” he expressed.