President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, speaking at a ceremony to mark his Government’s first year in office, outlined the Administration’s achievements and reiterated its commitment to delivering results with enthusiasm and efficiency.

Reflecting on the challenges at the start of his tenure, the President acknowledged the strides made in fulfilling key promises. Among these, he highlighted the successful establishment of an air ambulance service that has transported 540 patients and the expansion of the universal healthcare scheme, Aasandha, to cover in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and other reproductive health services.

The President also pointed to significant progress in mental health services, noting the success of a national helpline in supporting those facing mental health challenges. Furthermore, the introduction of a unified emergency hotline, 911, has streamlined access to emergency services across the nation.

On healthcare for Thalassaemia patients, President Muizzu revealed that 14 individuals had received state-sponsored bone marrow transplants abroad within the past year.

Addressing housing challenges, the President announced measures to alleviate financial burdens on social housing tenants. He further outlined plans to focus the 2025 Government budget on making housing more affordable. As part of these efforts, a Shariah-compliant housing loan scheme, with interest capped at 5 per cent, has been introduced. For the first time, loans will also be extended to fishermen and their families through a newly developed registry initiative.

Economic development has been bolstered by the establishment of bunkering services, sea-to-air cargo operations, and the Development Bank of Maldives. The Administration has also as a part of the continued push to decentralise governance and enhance service accessibility, allocated uninhabited islands to local councils for commercial use and ensured nationwide access to National Identity Card (NID) and passport services.

President Muizzu reaffirmed his commitment to completing key infrastructure projects before the end of his term. He also highlighted initiatives in religious and ideological education, including the training of 270 religious speakers and increased opportunities for youth in the religious sector. Teacher training programmes, he noted, have reached unprecedented levels over the past decade.