Health Minister Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim has stated that the administrative work required for the construction of the cancer hospital has now been completed, and the practical work will begin very soon. The Minister revealed this while answering a question about the cancer hospital during the Ministers’ “Ask Forum.” Health Minister Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim said that providing accessible treatment opportunities for cancer patients is a work that the government gives great importance to. He stated that all the administrative work required to build the first-ever specialized cancer hospital in the Maldives has now been completed. The Health Minister also noted that efforts are underway to secure financial assistance needed for the hospital construction.
“All the necessary preparations at the paper level have been completed. The technical feasibility of the work has been examined, and the concept has also been developed. The practical work of the hospital will begin without much delay,” the Minister said. In his speech, the Health Minister also highlighted the measures taken by the government to encourage prevention before the onset of cancer. He noted that special measures have been taken to distance society from harmful habits that expose people to the disease, such as tobacco use, in order to prevent cancer before it occurs.
The government has introduced a generational ban, prohibite prohibited the import of e-cigarettes, and increased import duties on cigarettes to distance society from tobacco use. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that work on the Maldives’ first cancer hospital will begin this year. He revealed this at the official ceremony held on the occasion of Republic Day last year. Funds required for the construction of the cancer hospital have also been included in this year’s budget.
