President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has formally established a new state-owned enterprise aimed at resolving persistent shortcomings in the nation’s healthcare supply chain. The State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation Limited is tasked with centralising the procurement and distribution of essential medicines, consumables, and equipment across the country.
The corporation was created under the authority granted by Section 15 of the Companies Act, according to a statement issued by the President’s Office. It is entirely government-owned, with the state holding 100 percent of its shares, ensuring full administrative control and oversight.
At the heart of the initiative is a mandate to strengthen the national supply chain for critical medical resources. The corporation will oversee bulk purchasing and importation of doctor-prescribed pharmaceuticals, medical consumables, and equipment. According to the President’s Office, it will also ensure that these supplies reach healthcare facilities throughout the country, including those in remote island communities.
The announcement follows earlier remarks by President Muizzu, who identified the procurement of vital medical resources as one of the most pressing challenges facing the healthcare system. His administration has placed the health sector at the centre of its policy agenda, advancing reforms aimed at expanding access to care and easing the financial burden of treatment for citizens.
The formation of the corporation aligns with broader efforts to modernise healthcare infrastructure. These include the construction of hospitals and healthcare centres across various islands and in the Greater Malé region, as well as the expansion of services under the Aasandha health insurance scheme, which now covers treatments previously unavailable to the public.