Decentralisation key to revolutionizing health sector: President Solih

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed on Tuesday inaugurated the 'Nursing Now' campaign in the Maldives.

'Nursing Now' is a three-year-long global campaign, run in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Council of Nurses sets to improve health by raising the profile and status of nursing worldwide.

Further, this campaign aims to empower nurses to tackle 21st-century health challenges and maximise their contribution to achieving Universal Health Coverage.

During the ceremony, the official website of the Maldivian Nurses Association was launched as well.

Speaking at the event, President Solih stated that the administration seeks to transform the healthcare sector through decentralisation policy, as outlined in the Strategic Action Plan (SAP).

According to the President, centralization was the primary challenge in providing universal healthcare in Maldives, despite the significant improvements in health standards over the past few decades.

Speaking in this regard, President Solih stated that the administration plans to develop five tertiary hospitals in five regions, while simultaneously establishing quality health care facilities across the Maldives. As per him, it would reorganise health care provision by enhancing the role of dedicated community health workers who would conduct regular home visits and carry out health check-ups and awareness programmes.

The President noted that although there are 3300 registered nurses in Maldives, the number is considerably less in comparison to the urgency for their services. He stressed on the need to train more nurses, especially with the development of new hospitals.

Noting that affordable housing and childcare to be some of the challenges faced by nurses, President Solih assured that his government would seek ways to address these challenges while devising a mechanism for nurses with special requirements to work part-time.

Furthermore, he affirmed the role of nurses in providing affordable, inclusive and quality health care and extended his profound gratitude for their benevolent and altruistic services.

The President highlighted the significance of initiatives such as 'Nursing Now' campaign and expressed gratitude the Maldivian Nursing Association, WHO and Maldives Nursing and Midwifery Council for introducing the campaign to Maldives.