President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the amendment proposed to the Health Service Provision Act. The amendment, which was passed by Parliament during its 32nd sitting of the second session on August 22, aims to introduce a national system in which efficient services can be provided.
The amendment details the objective of creating a national system as outlined in the previous Act, with the goal of providing high-quality treatment to individuals in the Maldives facing physical and mental health issues. It stipulates that the operations of the national healthcare system will be supervised by the Director General of Health Services, based on the recommendations of the Minister of Health. Additionally, the amendment specifies the criteria for appointing individuals to this position. If a qualified individual is already serving in this role when the Act takes effect, the bill states that the individual shall be deemed to have been appointed for the purposes of this Act.
The amendment also includes measures to develop and improve the national healthcare system, including the requirement to draft regulations that encompass policies and guidelines to ensure adequate resource allocation and the delivery of quality services. It emphasises that Preventive Care Services under this system will cover primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment, and outlines the principles that must be followed in service provision. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is assigned the responsibility to set, review, and annually publish the standards for healthcare services in the Government's Gazette
Furthermore, the amendment mandates the establishment of primary care centres in all cities, staffed by professional teams and meeting international standards. It designates the Commissioner of Quality Assurance to oversee the sustainability and monitoring of healthcare services at these centres.