Health Minister Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim has stated that significant assistance has been secured for strengthening the Maldives’ health system through the World Patient Safety Summit. The Minister said that the Maldives’ health system is very young compared to other countries’ systems and there are many areas that need further strengthening. The World Patient Safety Summit was held from 3rd to 4th of this month in the Philippines. Sharing information about the achievements from the summit on PSM News’ Raajje Miadu program, Health Minister Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim said that a small country like the Maldives needs assistance from many countries to strengthen its health system. The Minister noted that many things are achieved through the work done at such summits and on the sidelines. He said that assistance was received in some areas where the Maldives faces difficulties during the sidelines of this summit.

The Health Minister said that there are many obstacles in the Maldives for Maldivian doctors to find internship opportunities after studying medicine. He said that during discussions with the Philippines’ Health Minister at this summit, assurances were given to provide assistance in this matter. He also said that discussions were held regarding facilitating opportunities for doctors to further specialize.

In addition, the Health Minister said that a private medical college in the Philippines has facilitated opportunities for Maldivian doctors to study MBBS and has officially handed over documents for 3 scholarships. “They handed over the official documents to us, and now we are in the process of obtaining necessary permissions from the Foreign Ministry and working with Higher Education. We will announce these 3 scholarship opportunities very soon,” the Minister said.

The Minister has also stated that assistance was received to strengthen the patient safety sector in the Maldives through the Patient Safety Summit. He noted that discussions were held with the Joint Commission International, an American organization, regarding providing technical assistance needed to ensure patient safety in the Maldives. Additionally, Health Minister Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim said that discussions were held with regional officials from ADB regarding providing assistance needed to implement various projects in executing government policies.

President Donald Trump’s decision to increase import duties on goods entering the United States has caused major shocks to global financial and stock markets. As Trump describes it, the duties he has announced against foreign countries are an important “remedy” needed to overcome the situation facing the US economy. He has also said that duties will only be eased if countries agree to pay large sums of money to the United States.

Asian markets are among those most affected by Trump’s decision. Markets in European countries are also being significantly impacted. Stock prices in European markets have fallen to levels not seen in the past 16 months. Oil prices have risen and investors are facing fears. Economists say Trump’s decision will cause global market prices to rise dramatically. They also say demand for goods will fall and the global economy will face a ‘recession’ or slowdown.

Markets in Europe and China Shaken

China and Hong Kong’s stock markets are among those experiencing major shocks from Trump’s decision. China has been forced to spend from its sovereign fund to offset these shocks. In response to the increase in import duties on goods entering the US, ministers from European Union (EU) member states are considering how to respond. An important meeting of EU finance ministers will be held on April 7 to discuss this extensively. The main aim of the meeting will be to decide on measures against the US in a way that does not weaken their economies.

Economic experts have also revealed that the US economy will slow down as a result of Trump’s decision. Goldman Sachs, one of the world’s largest investment banks, said the chance of the country’s economy slowing over the next 12 months or so has risen to 45%. JPMorgan has also warned that the US economy will decline by 0.3%.

Trump Shows No Concern

However, Trump said he has no concern about these warnings. And he has no worries about the shocks hitting global financial markets and the trillions of dollars being lost. “I don’t want anything [prices] to go down. But sometimes, you have to use these kinds of remedies to solve problems,” he said. Trump has decided to increase duties on goods imported from some countries to 50%. He said he is consulting with leaders of European and Asian countries on finding solutions to these issues. “They [country leaders] want to negotiate, but negotiations can only happen if [the US] is paid a high price every year,” he said.

While many countries are expressing concern about Trump’s decision, China, the world’s second largest economy, has taken measures against the US. And decided to increase duties on US goods. It should be noted that in addition to China, Taiwan’s stock market prices have also fallen by 10%. Additionally, stock prices in the defense sector of European markets have also experienced major shocks.

It has been revealed that Jewish forces attempted to cover up the truth after martyring 15 social and health service workers during the ongoing inhumane genocide against Muslims in Gaza, Palestine. On March 23, in a terrorist operation carried out by Jewish forces in Rafah in southern Gaza, 15 health workers were martyred. After burying their bodies, the Jewish forces issued false statements to hide the truth of the incident. Among the 15 martyred individuals were staff from the Palestinian Civil Defense, Red Crescent, and the United Nations (UN). The agencies also disclosed that they are working to locate the body of another person who was traveling with them.

The Jewish forces initially claimed that they had attacked and martyred a group of mujahideen traveling in vehicles belonging to these agencies. They also stated that they attacked the vehicles and ambulances because their actions were suspicious. The Jewish forces also said that the emergency lights on the vehicles were not turned on. They also claimed that those martyred were mujahideen from Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

However, the truth about the terrorist attacks by Jewish forces to martyr these people has now been exposed. A video showing them being stopped, attacked without mercy, and martyred has been made public. The video was found on the mobile phone of one of the martyred health workers who had been buried.

More Deception from the Jews Following Video Release

The video was released by the Red Crescent. It shows Jewish forces attacking staff wearing uniforms of that agency, the Palestinian Civil Defense, and the UN. The vehicles they were traveling in were clearly marked as belonging to social service agencies. With the release of the video showing the Jewish forces’ terrorist attacks, they have begun efforts to further distort the truth. They said they are investigating to verify the authenticity of the video. Although the Jewish forces continued to claim the 15 martyred individuals were mujahideen, the Red Crescent, Civil Defense, and UN have denied this. The UN and Red Crescent have also called for an independent and fair investigation into this incident.

The Jews’ biggest supporter, US President Donald Trump, said that Hamas should be held responsible for the incident where Jewish forces attacked and martyred 15 social and health service workers. “Hamas has been using vehicles like ambulances. President Trump acknowledges that this poses significant challenges for the Jewish forces,” said White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes.

Calls for Justice for the Martyrs

The Red Crescent and UN said the 15 martyred individuals were members of a 17-person team that was working at the time to provide medical care to people injured in aggressive attacks by Jewish forces on Rafah. The UN said that information gathered so far indicates the Jewish soldiers launched terrorist attacks targeting them twice. “Justice must be served for those martyred, and it must be ensured that all those responsible are brought to justice,” said Red Crescent spokesman Nebal Farsakh. “Otherwise, such crimes will not stop.”

Jewish forces began carrying out inhumane crimes against Gaza’s Muslims on October 7, 2023. The number of people martyred in that aggression has risen to 61,700, while over 114,000 have been injured. Gaza’s civilian homes and infrastructure have also been completely destroyed and leveled to the ground.

Although attacks were suspended under an agreement between the ruling Hamas group in Gaza and the Jews that took effect on January 19, the Jewish forces violated the agreement and resumed attacks on Gaza on March 18. The Gaza Health Ministry revealed that the number of people martyred in terrorist attacks since then has exceeded 1,300. The majority of these are innocent women, innocent children, and the elderly with weakened physical strength.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said that children’s education is the most valuable investment for the nation’s future. He said this in an address sent on the occasion of the start of the new academic year. In this address, he extended congratulations and best wishes to students, parents, and hardworking teachers and staff working in the education sector on the occasion of the start of the new academic year.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said that educating children is the most valuable investment for the nation’s future and that teaching is a religious, national, social and human duty. He said that the first word revealed in the Holy Quran, the noble words of Allah, was “Iqra” (Read), and that the first 5 verses revealed to the beloved Prophet confirm the importance of learning and the advancement and high status given to humans through knowledge.

Noting that the government is working tirelessly to improve and advance the education sector, the President said that favorable school environments will be established in terms of resources and space, and that more training and opportunities will be provided for teachers. He also said that the government will pave good paths for all service providers in the education sector and strive to achieve all goals that will result in high achievements that parents can be proud of.

The President said that empowering education for children can only be achieved with the participation of the entire community. He said this can be achieved by all of us setting examples that encourage children to persevere in their education and upbringing, and by parents and schools working together for working together for the sake of students. The President called on the beloved Maldivian people to work in one spirit for the advancement and success of the education sector in this new academic year. He also called for support in further improving children’s achievements nationally and globally, and in developing children’s skills.

The President assured that the government will work to the best of its ability and capacity to provide the right to education equally without leaving out any child in any island. Noting that the most valuable jewel Allah has given to humans is the blessing of intelligence, the President said that education is the nourishment given to minds to make good use of the blessing of intelligence. He said that any society that does not provide good education will turn into an unfortunate environment without civilization or culture, and that it is the duty of both the government and the people to educate every child to make them a useful and stable citizen for the nation.

The President’s address also stated that striving to learn more at any age is the biggest secret linked to the success of any human being. He appealed to the hardworking teachers and staff working in the Maldives’ education sector to do sincere work with appreciation. He also appealed to parents not to be negligent for even a moment in providing good education and solid upbringing to our beloved children who are like the light of our eyes. In addition, the President appealed to all students to make good use of the opportunity given at their age especially for studying, to be obedient and to be good children.

The new academic year has begun with about ninety thousand students after a one-month holiday. With the start of the new academic year, schools have warmly welcomed students. As the new academic year begins with about ninety thousand students, about 84,000 students will be studying in 217 government schools. As in previous years, the number of students studying in Male’ schools is proportionally higher this year as well. About 33% of the student population will be studying in 19 schools in the Male’ area this academic year. And 21% of staff will work in schools in Male’.

The Ministry of Education said that more than 2,000 students have been newly admitted to Grade 1 in the Male’ area this year. And more than 5,000 children have been admitted to Grade 1 across the country this year. The Ministry of Education notes that more than 1,200 students have transferred from atoll schools to schools in the Male’ area this academic year. And more than 500 students have transferred from one atoll school to another.

Teachers play the most important role in providing quality education to students. Therefore, while 11,000 teachers are active this year, 10,000 teachers will be working in government schools. Looking at the entire education sector, that’s one teacher for every 8 students.

The Ministry of Education said that all essential needs including books for students, teachers, and basic requirements for schools are in place as the new academic year begins. Education Minister Dr. Ismail Shafeeu said that although some foreign teachers have resigned after the holiday, work is being done to bring teachers for those positions. As the new academic year begins, students completing their studies will go on annual leave on December 28. The current government has decided to change the previous government’s decision to start the academic year in the middle of the year, and start the academic year in January. As such, the academic year will completely change to start in January next year. And the Ministry of Education is working on making the necessary changes for this transition.

Abdul Matheen Mohamed, Managing Director of Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC), has said that relevant institutions and citizens need to jointly determine how to sustainably provide electricity, water and sewerage services in the Maldives. Matheen said the government and citizens need to think together towards ending reliance on subsidies.

Basic services like water, sewerage and electricity in the Maldives are provided by state-owned companies. Therefore, service provision relies heavily on subsidies. However, experts in the field say this is not a sustainable model for providing services. Speaking on PSM News’ Raajje Miadu program, MWSC Managing Director Abdul Matheen Mohamed said water services will be connected to households in all islands of the Maldives by the end of this year. He said we need to think about a model to provide this service to citizens at that point. Matheen said utility services can be provided sustainably only if companies can find a way to recover the costs involved.

“We need to ensure services are affordable. We need to ensure services are available to all citizens. Similarly, how can we arrange to cover the financial costs sustainably? There is no tariff for sewerage at all. Looking at water systems, many systems established in the Maldives don’t have that level of consumption. So the water service cannot cover its costs,” Matheen said. Matheen said among utility services provided in the Maldives, only electricity generates revenue. However, even electricity service is provided at a loss in many islands. Therefore, Matheen said discussions need to be held between citizens, relevant government agencies and stakeholders to determine how to proceed once utility services are established in all islands of the Maldives. The state budget spends a large amount on subsidies to provide basic utility services in the Maldives.

Over 1 billion rufiyaa is spent annually on fuel for electricity generation. In addition, a large amount is spent on electricity subsidies. Therefore, a system needs to be established to sustainably provide utility services and generate funds needed for maintenance. Otherwise, with the growing population, relying on subsidies and increasing expenses is not a financially sustainable burden for the state.