Ministry of Health has inaugurated the Vilunu Drug Detoxification and Community Rehabilitation Centre in Hulhudhoo, Addu City. The rehabilitation centre was inaugurated by Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, and the Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Jaishankar said the development of the rehabilitation centre was funded jointly by India and the Maldives and is the first of the 20 high-impact community development projects to be completed across the country. He also announced that the Government of India will support seven more high-impact community development projects, including the establishment of a Mental Health Unit in Addu Equatorial Hospital.
The Vilunu Drug Detoxification and Community Rehabilitation Centre has the capacity to house 60 patients and is equipped to administer rehabilitation treatment programmes that were structured with the expertise of consultants from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The rehabilitation centre offers a wide range of treatments including, residential and community rehabilitation treatments along with reintegration programs for vulnerable communities.
National Drug Agency (NDA) stated it is the largest rehabilitation centre established outside the Greater Male’ Region, and will begin treating 20 patients next week. NDA also said staff has also been hired for the centre after they completed the necessary training.