World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia has presented its Award for Excellence in Public Health to the Ministry of Health of Maldives, in recognition of the many successes in the health sector. It was conferred at the ongoing 70th South East Asia Regional Committee at Paradise Island Resort.
The award was received by the Minister of Health, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim. The statement issued by WHO regarding the Award of Excellence in Public Health to the Ministry of Health of Maldives, it mentioned the achievements under the leadership of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
WHO noted that strong commitment of the government had, in the recent years, led to the achievements of many notable successes in the Maldivian health sector. The organization highlighted that the government of Maldives has successfully eliminated and eradicated many communicable diseases such as malaria and hepatitis.
State-run pharmacies have been set up in every inhabited island and dispense free of cost all the 455 medicines on the national drugs list, WHO noted. It added that the government of the Maldives has achieved much in universal health coverage with the establishment of fully functioning primary health centers in all inhabited island, backed by both sea and land ambulance fleets for timely referrals in emergencies. WHO, assured that they have full confidence in the government of the Maldives.