Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen has stated plans are underway to promote mental healthcare on a national level in association with the mental healthcare centre established in Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). The health minister made the remarks at the ceremony held to inaugurate the Centre for Mental Health.
Speaking at the ceremony at IGMH, Health Minister Ameen said major outreach programmes will be introduced by the centre to aware the public on the importance of mental health. Moreover, the minister expressed one main aim of the mental health centre will be to change the attitude of people towards mental health. He appealed everyone to get treatment without hesitating.
As part of the efforts, plans are underway to commence a pilot project of Jazeera Mental Health Programme before the end of the year. While the number of mental healthcare patients are increasing in Maldives, about 2,500 patients sought medical attention in the past six months, according to statistics.