The country owes a great deal to Dr Samad: Gayoom

President of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said that the country owes a great deal to the late Dr Abdul Samad Abdullah for his services to the country.

Gayoom made this remark while speaking to reporters after signing the book of condolence, opened at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following Dr Samad’s death in a hospital in Singapore on Saturday.

“After assuming the post of foreign minister, he made efforts to strengthen relations with friendly countries, strengthen relations between Maldives and international groups; and for all this, the country owes a great deal to the late Dr Abdul Samad Abdullah,” he said.

Gayoom also noted Dr Samad’s services during Gayoom’s government, when Dr Samad worked at the National Health Services for the development of the health sector over a period of 11 years.

He further noted Dr Samad’s services in regional community services at the World Health Organisation (WHO), and also as the Maldivian Ambassador in Bangladesh.