Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has revealed that 41 healthcare guidelines were introduced last year to ensure patients across the Maldives receive a consistent standard of treatment and care.

Speaking on the “Tharujamaanaa Eku” podcast, the minister stressed that public trust in the healthcare system depends on strong Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which must also meet international standards. 

He noted that funding has been allocated in this year’s budget to develop additional treatment guidelines and provide training, emphasizing the need for doctors and healthcare workers to be fully familiar with these protocols to strengthen services nationwide.

Minister Nazim explained that the adoption of uniform guidelines will allow healthcare providers to follow the same treatment protocols for common illnesses, ensuring consistency in care regardless of location.

He also acknowledged that inadequate infrastructure remains the biggest obstacle to expanding healthcare services in the atolls. To address this, construction of new facilities is underway in phases under a USD 323.6 million initiative aimed at improving access to health services across the country.