MP calls for Aasandha, STO officials to answer over medicine shortages
Mohamed Ibrahim said complaints have increased over the unavailability of certain medicines prescribed by doctors in the Maldives.
Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim has requested that officials from Aasandha and the State Trading Organisation be summoned before a parliamentary committee, citing difficulties faced by residents in obtaining essential medicines.
In a letter sent on Tuesday to Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Mohamed Ibrahim said complaints have increased over the unavailability of certain medicines prescribed by doctors in the Maldives.
He said the issue is particularly affecting elderly patients and those on long-term medication. He also noted that patients are frequently unable to obtain the full dosage prescribed by medical professionals.
Mohamed Ibrahim said medicines required for the treatment of diabetes, cancer and blood pressure conditions must be consistently available. He said such shortages had not been experienced under previous administrations and that access to these medicines had not been as difficult even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He added that the matter has been raised in parliament on several occasions, but no resolution has been reached so far.
Mohamed Ibrahim said summoning the heads of Aasandha and the State Trading Organisation before the relevant parliamentary committee is necessary to determine why access to essential medicines has been disrupted and to ensure immediate corrective measures are taken.
