The National Drug Agency (NDA) has acquired a large plot of land in Hulhumalé to develop a "Wellness Center" for individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse.
Chairman of the Board at NDA and Deputy Minister of Health, Shamau Shareef told Mihaaru News that 10,000 square feet of land has been bought from Hulhumalé 1 and registered with the agency.
The Wellness Center will provide complete facilities for those seeking recovery from addiction, including women and children.
While the concept has been finalized, the next step is to create the blueprint of the Wellness Center. The facility's practical work will begin next year, according to Shamau.
Shamau said that the Wellness Center can work towards prevention at a larger scale than the existing centers, and once it begins operating, the public will be able to seek treatment from it.
Although there are currently 11 drug rehabilitation centers in the Maldives, there have been frequent complaints about inadequate treatment from these facilities.