Maldives has managed to secure crucial aid needed to strengthen its health sector during the recently concluded ‘World Patient Safety Summit’, Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has said.
Speaking to PSM News’ ‘Raajje Miadhu’ programme on the outcomes of the summit, Minister Nazim acknowledged that the health care system still remains in its infancy and requires significant development through the assistance of foreign countries and international agencies.
The Minister noted the significance of such summits, especially the bilateral discussions that take place on the sidelines, adding that the Maldives has managed to secure crucial assistance to key areas in its healthcare system during the patient safety summit.
The Health Minister said there are many obstacles in Maldives for local doctors to get the required internship opportunities after studying medicine. According to Minister Nazim, his Philippine counterpart during the sidelines of the summit had assured assistance for such internship opportunities to Maldivian doctors. The discussions also centered around securing opportunities for local doctors for further specialisation, he added.
In addition, the Minister also revealed that a private medical college in the Philippines has awarded three MBBS scholarships to the Maldives.
"We have got the offer officially in writing and now we are getting the necessary permits through the Foreign Ministry and the necessary arrangements through the Higher Education Ministry. We will announce these three scholarship opportunities very soon,” he said.
According to Minister Nazim, the summit has also helped strengthen the patient safety in the country including securing technical assistance from the U.S based Joint Commission on International.