The safety and security of Maldivian fishermen have been a paramount concern for President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's administration since its inception, according to the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Ahmed Shiyam.
This commitment was underscored by the recent inauguration of the first-ever hyperbaric centre in Guraidhoo, Thaa Atoll, by President Dr Muizzu himself.
Lauding the landmark move in a social media post, Minister Shiyam highlighted the significance of this new facility, designed to treat diving decompression sickness, a critical concern for those engaged in marine occupations.
He stated that this marks a historic first for the Maldives, with the government expressing a strong intent to establish more such centres across the country in the near future.
Minister Shiyam emphasised that the government has been proactively developing and implementing specialised policies aimed at enhancing the well-being of fishermen. A testament to this, according to the Minister, is the programme to train at least one rescue diver per fishing vessel, which saw 56 divers certified last year alone, with further training underway this year.
"The President has attached great importance to the safety and security of fishermen since day one," Minister Shiyam affirmed.
He further asserted that the current administration is undertaking numerous critical initiatives for fisherman safety that have not been undertaken by any previous government, contributing to positive changes across all industries in the Maldives.