Minister of Health, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, has announced that the State Trading Organization (STO), the primary importer of pharmaceuticals to the Maldives, has significantly expanded the variety of medicines it imports to address ongoing shortages.
The Minister made these remarks during a press conference held at the President’s Office, where he shared updates on the government’s initiatives to enhance the healthcare sector.
Minister Nazim emphasized that the government is undertaking extensive efforts to resolve difficulties in accessing essential medication. He noted that the measures currently being implemented are already yielding substantial improvements. According to the Minister, as these issues are addressed, the country’s Approved Drug List and the Essential Medicines List will continue to expand.
While acknowledging the challenges faced in resolving these issues, Minister Nazim assured that the government is closely monitoring public concerns and complaints. He highlighted that the results of the current administrative efforts are becoming increasingly evident.
“I can confidently state that the issue has been alleviated to a great extent. However, our objective is to resolve this to a level where there are no further grievances from the public. This involves strengthening the governance framework, streamlining the medicine supply chain, and refining the Aasandha health insurance system,” the Minister stated.
Furthermore, the Health Minister detailed that the medicine supply chain has been fortified, leading to a several-fold increase in imports. He pointed out that while STO previously imported approximately 200 types of medicine, that figure has now risen to between 800 and 900 varieties.
In addition to increasing supply, the Minister noted that regulatory procedures and treatment guidelines have been strengthened. Notably, 40 new treatment guidelines were established last year for the first time. These guidelines are expected to assist doctors and healthcare providers in determining the most appropriate medications for patient care.
The Minister concluded by stating that one of the most pivotal steps taken by the government is the establishment of a dedicated company for pharmaceutical procurement. He described this as a strategic, long-term measure intended to provide a permanent solution to the challenges within the pharmaceutical sector.
