President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has announced that oncology services will be introduced at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital before the end of the year.
He made the announcement at the inauguration of the water and sewerage project of Fuvahmulah City Monday.
Highlighting developments in the health sector, President Yameen stated that one of the main achievements was to establish a facility to provide treatment for cardiac diseases in Maldives so that patients may seek the required treatment in the Maldives.
In his speech President Yameen noted that with the completion of the water and sewerage project, a major difficulty faced by Fuvahmulah residents would be resolved.
The President also stated that the city's shoreline protection project would be the biggest of its kind to be undertaken in the Maldives; adding that with the installation of incinerators to be imported next year, the issues related to waste management would also be resolved.
“As empowering youth and providing housing to the youth is one of the main pledge of the administration, development projects such as the bridge construction and airport expansion are investments for the future; the expansion of the airport will see between 6 to 8 million visitors enter the country which will in turn create more than 90,000 jobs for youth,” the President added.
President Yameen also spoke about the country’s debt. Noting that the state debt was MVR33 billion when he assumed office, President Yameen vowed to clear the debt before he leaves office. MVR23 billion is owed to the Central Bank and various commercial banks, and a tenth of the state revenue is spent on paying off the debt, he said, adding that the government’s developmental plans will not increase debt.
He criticised the opposition for their attempts to discredit the country and tarnish its reputation, and urged them to be more responsible in their work to hold the Government accountable.
President Yameen also apologised to the Maldivian people for the corruption scandal involving Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), assuring that safe guards have been put in place to prevent such corruption from being repeated in the future.
He further said the government will not interfere with reporting on the MMPRC corruption scandal, and the controversy surrounding the murder of late Dr. Afrasheem Ali, but will not tolerate defamation.
Addressing the function, Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim assured that the Government will ensure that Fuvahmulah is developed to the standards of a full-fledged city. “Relevant plans are already being drawn up, and will include development of all infrastructure and services available in a city,” he added. He also revealed environment-related plans for the city, including the establishment of a modern waste management facility and a project to address the issue of coastal erosion in the island.
Speaking at the ceremony, Speaker of Parliament Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed assured the President that he will receive the full support of Fuvahmulah in the 2018 Presidential Election. He also spoke in detail about the developmental work carried out by the Yameen administration.