Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has said that one of the most urgent challenges facing the health sector is the absence of laboratory services in 76 inhabited islands, a gap the Government is now working to address under the current Administration.

Speaking in an interview on MMTV, the Minister said that when President Dr Mohamed Muizzu assumed office, laboratory services were unavailable in 76 islands across the country. He said expanding access to such services has since become a key priority of the Ministry of Health.

Minister Nazim said the Ministry aims to establish laboratory services in a number of islands within this year, with the remaining islands expected to be covered by the end of next year. He added that the facilities will be equipped with trained technicians and the necessary machinery to ensure proper service delivery.

He noted that laboratory services have already begun in several islands over the past two years in line with the President’s commitments to improve access to healthcare services across the country. According to the Minister, full laboratory facilities will eventually be established in all 76 islands, with capacity adjusted to suit the population of each island.

The Minister said the Government’s goal is to ensure laboratory services are available in all inhabited islands, adding that projects are being implemented simultaneously in multiple locations to meet the target. He also noted that during visits to the atolls, residents have consistently raised the need for broader and more accessible health services with the President.

Minister Nazim emphasised that close engagement between the health sector and the public is essential, stating that it is his responsibility to ensure health services are delivered without interruption nationwide. He added that progress on health sector development projects is being closely monitored, including those pledged under the current Administration, and said further efforts will be made in the coming year to meet these objectives.