The Maldives and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have entered an agreement pertaining to address the challenges encountered to import medicine to the Maldives.
In addition to the challenges faced to import medical drugs to the Greater Male' Region, several residents have voiced their concerns over the difficulties they face in collecting medicine in various islands as well. The concern was raised by some shareholders, during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the State Trading Organisation (STO).
In response to the concerns, Managing Director Shimad Ibrahim stated that efforts have been initiated, in collaboration with the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA), to resolve the issues. The managing director affirmed that Ministry of Finance and UNDP have signed an agreement to solve the problem of importing medicines to the Maldives. Shimad stated that under the bulk procurement, UNDP will provide the medicines and collect them in Copenhagen, Denmark, and send them to the respective destinations, including the Maldives. He further added that these medicines will be entered to the Aasandha Portal, stating that it will serve as a major convenience for all.
Aasandha Company Limited, the universal health insurance scheme of the Maldives, has revealed that 65% of the companies budget is spent on attaining medicine, constituting the majority of the company's expenses. Over 14,000 brands have been listed currently in the medicines list of the nation.