According to the Minister of Health, Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim, laboratory services will be established in 76 islands this year.
Speaking on PSM News' programme, Health Minister Abdullah Nazim revealed the projects undertaken to strengthen the health sector in various atolls and islands.
The minister said one of the biggest concerns of the local communities in the atolls and its islands is the lack of laboratory services in the health centers, particularly among communities of smaller population size. The minister noted that many people must travel to the city and nearby islands to access these services. As such, the government has launched vital project to provide laboratory services in islands where such services are currently not available.
He also revealed that when President Dr Mohamed Muizzu came to power, a special policy was formulated to establish the laboratory service in islands where it was not available, demonstrating the President’s vision towards more equitable and accessible healthcare for the nation.
The minister said the health ministry is working to establish laboratory services in 76 islands this year. Speaking on the progress, he said that these services have been established in 11 islands so far.
"Therefore, the President decided as a policy to establish laboratory services in 76 islands before the end of this year. So far, we have officially started services on 11 islands in the last six months," The minister said.
The laboratory service is a basic healthcare service, and the government is working to make it available to everyone irrespective of where they are. The laboratory service will facilitate early detection of some diseases and will further strengthen the government's efforts to build a healthy society.