Maldives to partake in UN's Atomic Energy Agency to facilitate development of Cancer Hospital

Maldives has decided to join the United Nation's International Atomic Energy Agency to facilitate the source medication and equipment required for the cancer hospital to be developed in the country, revealed Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer.

Speaking at the press conference held at the President's Office today to share some of the Cabinet's decisions, the minister announced that it was decided to participate in the International Atomic Energy Agency.

He stated that the primary purpose of joining the agency is to support the development of the country's cancer hospital, which President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu has made a top priority.

“There is a great need for the assistance of the Atomic Agency in modern medicine. It is the procurement of some equipment and its waste management. These things are included in the IAEA's management," he said.

Among the countries in the region, Maldives and Bhutan are the only countries that have not yet joined the 178-member Atomic Agency.

In addition to facilitating the cancer hospital, he said many countries are moving towards atomic energy and Maldives can benefit from it by participating in the association.

"Given the change in the world, there is a possibility that the world will move towards atomic energy. It may be possible that renewable energy and hydrocarbon use maybe reduced in the world, so [we] believe that Maldives should also participate in this and seek the benefits available from this," he said.

He added once the Cabinet's decision is submitted to the parliament and approved, the process of participating in the agency would begin.

This cancer hospital was initiated by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s government. The hospital was first decided to be built under India's line of credit, in Laamu atoll's Gan island.

However, with concerns from doctors, the government decided to move the cancer hospital to the Malé area and build a mental health hospital in Gan instead.

With that, it was decided that the cancer hospital would be developed in the land behind Dharumavantha Hospital, the government announced for a party to conduct the feasibility study last February.