The administration plans to fully digitalise the healthcare and education sectors during its term, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has revealed. This announcement was made in an interview with PSM News prior to his departure to the Maldives, following the conclusion of his official visit to Estonia.
President Dr Muizzu's visit to Estonia commenced on 13 January, upon the invitation of Estonian President Dr Alar Karis. The primary focus of this visit was to gain insights into Estonia's advanced digital sector and explore potential collaborations, according to President Dr Muizzu.
The digitalisation of the healthcare sector would aim to revolutionise service delivery by leveraging digital technologies to enhance processes, improve patient care, and increase efficiency. Similarly, the digitalisation of the education sector would seek to transform traditional teaching and learning methods by integrating digital technologies into all aspects of educational delivery.
Speaking with PSM News, President Dr Muizzu underscored his commitment to digitalising all aspects of public services. The government's objective is to convert years of analogue information into a digital format, creating a comprehensive digital archive, he said, noting that this digitalisation initiative is seen as a pivotal step towards transforming the Maldives into a developed country by 2040.
"The goal is to expand our economy within the digital sector. Our objective is to achieve significant development over the next five years, ensuring that at least 15% of our GDP is derived from the digital economy. This represents our broader policy and vision, which will be instrumental in our efforts to transform the Maldives into a developed country by 2040," stated the President.
President Dr Muizzu also outlined his vision for developing the country's Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector, recognising AI's pivotal role in national development. He highlighted the administration's efforts to develop a National AI Masterplan, which will be integral to nation-building efforts.
Reflecting on his visit to Estonia, President Dr Muizzu described it as an enlightening experience, providing valuable insights into achieving digital transformation. He expressed gratitude for Estonia's commitment to assisting the Maldives in this endeavour, viewing it as a significant step towards realising his vision for the country's digital sector.
"With God's will, particularly this year, we are dedicated to digitalising the services provided by the government. Our focus is on all public sectors—especially education and healthcare. Within the next three to four years, we are confident that we can achieve the desired transformation," stated President Dr Muizzu.
He further stressed the importance of digitalising public services, with a particular emphasis on the education and healthcare sectors. President Dr Muizzu noted Estonia's advancements in these areas, with comprehensive digital solutions implemented in both sectors. He also highlighted Estonia's position as a leading country in preventative healthcare.
President Dr Muizzu also reiterated his vision for the Maldives to become a nation where most public services are digitalised, a goal he believes can be achieved with the full support of the people during the remainder of his tenure. "I am confident that I will have the full support of the people and the [civil service] employees in this endeavour. This support is paramount to our success," he added.