The government is executing development projects wisely while meeting the country’s debt obligations, the Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has said.
Speaking during a ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) rally on Monday evening, Minister Nazim pointed out that when President Dr Mohamed Muizzu took office in November 2023, the country was at risk of defaulting on its debt of more than USD 7.8 billion.
However, the President immediately began efforts to rebuild the country, executing infrastructure development projects wisely and responsibly, while meeting the country’s debt obligations, he said.
According to the Minister, President Dr Muizzu quickly identified that real development of the country was not linked to only infrastructure development.
He said that the biggest challenge facing the country’s healthcare system was not the lack of infrastructure, equipment or healthcare professionals, but the health issues emerging from the often unhealthy lifestyle of the people.
Understanding that the health system cannot be developed without addressing the underlying issue, the President, according to Minister Nazim, quickly took direct action and formulated policies towards that purpose.
"Whether it is tobacco control, drug control, preventing gang violence, solving the problem of undocumented expatriate workers, if we try to take the country forward without solving these issues, it will be like filling a pail without a bottom. Unless these issues are addressed, we cannot mould the Maldives in the way we want it to be,” he explained.
The Minister also insisted that this Administration would not rely on one country, adding that it has maintained a neutral foreign policy with both bilateral and multilateral partners. He added that President Dr Muizzu has continued to take a firm stand, highlighting Maldives’ unwavering commitment to advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people in the international fora.