Muizzu urges delaying India medicine pact signing

President-elect Dr Mohamed Muizzu has asked the government to postpone the signing of an agreement between an Indian company and STO on the import of medicines and medical equipment.

Muizzu's spokesman Mohammed Firzul Abdullah Haleel held a press conference on Saturday to express concerns about the health sector issues raised by the transitional committees.

He said efforts are now underway to sign an agreement between STO and a company from Tamil Nadu state to send medicines and related supplies to Maldives.

“The President-elect [Muizzu] considers that this is a sensitive issue related to basic services of the people and he is concerned that such work is being carried out at this moment,” he said.

The transitional committee formed by President-elect Muizzu has been visiting various government agencies and offices to examine the progress of their work and the problems therein.

Firzul had earlier said that some hospitals and health centres were running out of stock of essential items and difficulties in providing services, and now asks supplies from India to be halted. 

However, the government has said no such thing will happen to the sector, and the services will not be stopped. On the other hand, Indian pharmacies are under global scrutiny for some medicines that have caused death in children.