President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced a landmark reform to decentralize and modernize the country’s healthcare system — allowing island health centers and hospitals to communicate directly with the Ministry of Health, eliminating bureaucratic layers that have long delayed essential medical services.
Speaking in Alif Dhaal Maamigili as part of his ongoing atoll visit, President Muizzu said the existing structure forces health centers to go through atoll hospitals for medicines and administrative approvals, creating inefficiencies that affect timely patient care. “We are moving towards a system where each health center can directly engage with the Ministry of Health for medical matters, and with the Ministry of Finance for administrative needs” the President declared.
He explained that this transformative change will be supported by a new digital platform and comprehensive staff training nationwide. “Software work, employee training, and coordination at every island and ministry level are already underway,” the President said, assuring that all arrangements would be finalized within this year. “God willing, by January, health centers and hospitals will function as independent entities capable of directly coordinating with government institutions”.
President Muizzu emphasized that the reform will cut through red tape and bring real progress to healthcare delivery. “This will make it easier to obtain medicines, create new job opportunities, and speed up service approvals” he said.
To address challenges in medicine supply and affordability, the President recently established the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation Limited, under powers granted by Article 15 of the Companies Act. The corporation — created to ensure transparency and efficiency in medical procurement — will gradually take over import and distribution responsibilities previously handled by STO.
With these sweeping reforms, President Muizzu’s administration continues to advance its promise of building a “people-first” governance system that empowers local institutions and ensures no island is left behind in access to essential healthcare.
