In a cabinet meeting held on Sunday, President Mohamed Muizzu announced a series of decisions that signify new strides in healthcare, national heritage, and environmental stewardship. These initiatives include the establishment of a Thalassaemia Hospital, the facilitation of free bone marrow transplant procedures, comprehensive coverage for endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treatments, the creation of the Maldives Zakat House, and the establishment of three institutions to promote heritage and language. Additionally, the cabinet decided to seek parliamentary approval for the Maldives to join the ‘Minamata Convention on Mercury’.
The Thalassemia Hospital, a specialised facility for treating Thalassaemia patients, is part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen healthcare services. The government will sponsor overseas transplant procedures for eligible Thalassaemia patients, aiming to support ten patients annually by 2028, the President’s Office said.
The cabinet also decided to offer comprehensive coverage for endometriosis and PCOS treatments under the government’s universal healthcare insurance scheme, Aasandha. This decision addresses the challenge of patients being denied coverage due to the diagnostic links between these conditions, including instances where infertility has been diagnosed.
In a move to streamline the zakat system, Muizzu decided to create the Maldives Zakat House, which will expand the Zakat Fund by investing in areas where Shariah has approved zakat. The Zakat House will be established as an agency under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
The Dhivehi National Heritage Research Centre, the Dhivehi National Heritage College, and the Dhivehi National Publisher will be established to promote heritage and language. These institutions aim to generate academically qualified personnel, teach the public about indigenous identity and culture, and publish and disseminate literary works by Maldivians, the President’s Office said.
The cabinet also decided to seek parliamentary approval for the Maldives to join the ‘Minamata Convention on Mercury,’ a treaty that aims to protect the environment and human health from anthropogenic emissions and releases of toxic heavy metals. The Maldives has been working to ratify this convention since 2017.