Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has announced that the government will expand psychiatry and speech therapy services to all atoll hospitals across Maldives.
In an interview given to state media, PSM, Minister Nazim stressed the pressing need for accessible mental health services noting that a significant number of individuals in the Maldives struggle with mental health challenges. Noting that psychiatry services are currently available only in Male’ and select regional hospitals, Nazim said island residents are forced to travel to the Maldives due to the lack of service availability in the atolls.
Emphasising that it a presidential pledge of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to expand psychiatry services to atoll hospitals, the Minister said efforts are currently underway to achieve this vision. In this regard, the government is currently recruiting psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors as well as therapists, he said.
