New system to streamline communication for health centers with ministries

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced a significant reform in the operational framework for health centers, establishing direct lines of communication with government ministries starting next year.

Currently, health centers operate under a hierarchical communication structure, relaying their needs to ministries through hospitals. President Muizzu, during his visit to Maamigili in South Ari Atoll, said that this existing system often leads to difficulties in the timely procurement of essential medicines and the recruitment of staff for health centers. The new system is designed to overcome these bureaucratic hurdles, he said, with increased operational agility and improved service delivery.

Under the new system, each health center will establish direct communication channels with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance. President Muizzu said that the implementation of this reform is slated for January of next year.

Elaborating on the current system, the President stated, "Atoll hospitals are providing medicines to health centers in islands to solve the shortage of medicines in the islands. Other things are the same. That is being brought to an end."

ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ، އދ. މާމިގިއްޔަށް ވަޑައިގަތުން#RayyithunGaathah #AlifuDhaaluAtollVisit pic.twitter.com/FsJaFUx8vW

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He further detailed the ongoing preparatory work: "Work is underway to develop a system of communication for the Health Ministry with every health center and hospital. Communication with finance (ministry) and STO. Training of people is being arranged. From January next year, all health centers will communicate directly with institutions. It will be settled."

This strategic decision is expected to eliminate multiple layers of bureaucracy, thereby streamlining the process of obtaining necessary services and resources for health centers. This direct engagement is anticipated to result in greater responsiveness to the needs of individual health centers across the archipelago.

The announcement comes amidst public concerns regarding persistent difficulties in accessing medicines, an issue the government has acknowledged and attempted to address through various measures, including the establishment of a special company dedicated to importing pharmaceuticals.