Health Minister Abdullah Nazim have said that the health of the citizens is very important to the government, and that the government will take whatever actions necessary to protect it.
Speaking at a ceremony held to launch the national plan to work against non-communicable diseases, the Minister said that if they have to take action against energy drinks or smoking, they will take that action without hesitation.
Nazim said that they have been receiving warnings about the increase in non-communicable disease like cancer, diabetes, and cardiac diseases in Maldives. He said that such diseases can be controlled only by working as per the guidelines set by experts.
Nazim said that no one should doubt about the quality of health care available from Maldives and the government has introduced many new services which were not available in Maldives. He said that Maldivian health sector is developed well compared to other countries in the region.
Nazim said that even though the population of Maldives is dispersed and even though the GDP of Maldives is low, Maldives is competing at the same level as developed nations. He said that a large potion of the population is living like people in developed countries.
Nazim said that due to dietary habits and some other habits, the prevalence rate of non-communicable diseases in Maldives is high compared to other countries in the region. He said that hence, more work needs to be done to create awareness among the people.
In addition, Nazim said that no other government has focused on the health sector like the current government. He said that the president himself oversees the health sector of Maldives.
Nazim said that the government is creating various parks so that people can enjoy and because social well-being is important. He said that the government does not spare any costs in developing such facilities.
The health of the people is very important to the government: Will take whatever actions necessary – Health Minister
