Reported by: Mariyam Shaufa
Written by: Hussain Fayaz
Ministry of Health has said that it is undergoing discussions with the Sri Lankan government to commence training initiatives to establish General Practitioner (GP) services in the Maldives.
GP services basically means provision of a trained and responsible doctor or physician, for each family or individual. To kick-start such an initiative in the country, discussions are being held on arranging the training programmes for the Maldivian doctors involved.
Speaking to Vnews, Health Ministry’s State Minister Hussain Rasheed said that the provision of a physician for each and every family and individual, is an initiative which was deemed as a priority by the government. Thus, it was important to have special doctors specialized for such tasks before the initiative beings in March.
He added that the neighboring Sri Lanka is holding a one year diploma program - under the name of GP Services, and that talks are being held on the participation of Maldivian doctors into the ongoing program.
He also said that under the agreement signed between the Maldives and Sri Lanka in 2014, the Sri Lankan government had given the assurance that the course will have slots reserved.
While the program is open for participation by Maldivian doctors, it is also available to specialist doctors, as well as to those who have completed MBBS.
The initiative to provide a physician to each family, is a pledge made by President Abdulla Yameen and his government.