Health Ministry warns legal action against unlicensed healthcare service providers

Health Ministry has warned that it would be taking legal action against unregistered and unlicensed healthcare service providers in the country.

In a statement issued today, the Ministry said that all healthcare services provided in Maldives must be registered under the healthcare service centre registration regulations. Such service providers must also have an operating license issued for them, the statement read.

Despite being regulated by law, the Ministry acknowledged that alternative medical services are being provided without proper registrations.

Such places will have legal action taken against them, the Ministry warned.

"Since it is an offence under Article 20 of the Health Services Act to provide any kind of health service in Maldives without registration and licensing, action will be taken against such persons under the Health Services Act," the ministry said.

While the Ministry threatens legal action against unregistered healthcare service providers, a woman named Fazeela Usman, known across the country for her alternative medicine (cupping) services, is under investigation for providing services without a valid registration.

Faxy's Hijama, Fazeela's centre, has been provided a duration by the Ministry within which all registrations must be fulfilled.