Private parties to be allowed to run rehab centers

The government has announced the decision to open the operation of drug rehabilitation centers in the Maldives to private parties - both local and international.

The decision was made by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during a cabinet meeting on Sunday, following deliberations on a paper submitted by the Homeland Security Ministry.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, the principal secretary to the president on public policy, told reporters that the cabinet decided to run community-based rehab programs in collaboration with experts.

He said the rehab centers would be run in accordance with Maldives’ laws and regulations, and Islamic principles.

“It was discussed and decided to start by running the program in three areas; Velidhoo in N. Atoll, Kaashidhoo in K. Atoll, and an island in L. Atoll,” he said.

The drug rehab centers in the Maldives are currently operated solely by the government.