Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has said that maintaining the current level of expenditure on the health sector, alongside targeted system reforms, would lead to improved services and better outcomes for the public.

Speaking on an episode of Tharujamaanaa Eku podcast hosted by the President’s Office Spokesperson Heena Waleed, the Minister noted that healthcare remains one of the largest components of the State budget and stressed that meaningful improvements can be achieved by strengthening how services are delivered, rather than through increased spending alone.

As part of efforts to expand healthcare services in the Greater Malé Region, the Minister highlighted the importance of developing general practitioner (GP) clinics. He said one of the most common concerns raised by the public is the long waiting time to see specialist doctors, noting that in many countries patients are first assessed by a general practitioner before being referred to a specialist when necessary.

In contrast, the Minister said, patients in the Maldives often seek specialist care directly, even for minor health issues, placing unnecessary pressure on major hospitals. He said the establishment of GP clinics is intended to address this challenge by providing accessible primary care and appropriate referrals.

According to the Minister, six GP clinics are planned for the Greater Malé Region. One clinic has already been opened in Malé City, while plans are underway to transform the former Thalassaemia Centre to a GP clinic and equip it with the necessary resources. He also said efforts are ongoing to develop a second GP clinic in Hulhumalé.

The Minister explained that the new system would allow patients to consult a general practitioner first and, where required, be referred to a specialist with medical advice. This, he said, would help patients bypass lengthy queues and ensure more efficient access to specialised care based on clinical need.

He also noted that a significant proportion of patients who visit the emergency department at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital do not require emergency treatment. The availability of GP clinics for general illnesses, he said, would reduce this burden and allow emergency services to focus on critically ill patients.

Minister Nazim said such reforms would save both time and costs for patients and the healthcare system. He reiterated his view that as a developing country, the Maldives can achieve better health outcomes by improving service delivery models and strengthening primary care, while maintaining existing levels of health sector expenditure.