A Pakistan doctor has 'fled' from Dhangethi island, bringing medical service in the island to complete standstill.
The island council president has informed 'Avas' that the foreign doctor had left for the capital Male saying he was leaving for one day. However, once he failed to arrive and a slight investigation revealed he had gone back to his country.
Without the only doctor in the island, residents have been left helpless.
"The doctor left for Male saying that he was sick and needed to consult another doctor. He disappeared after his departure, and a little investigating revealed that he had left for his native Pakistan. It has been a week since then, and the health center is still closed. We receive complaints from the people everyday," the President of the island council said.
The councilor said the Health Ministry has been notified of this issue, and that it had given assurances that a replacement would be deployed soon. However, the councilor said that this has failed to happen and that people were starting to get concerned.
Speaking to 'Avas' Zilal Mohamed, who is a native of the island said that it has been over a week since service has stopped and that many difficulties have risen from this situation. He also said that the people have planned to gather around the medical center in protest.
"No matter how young or old the person, we have to stand here doing nothing. We have to spend so much to go to Mahibadhoo or Male. It has been many days and so many people need to consult a doctor for various reasons," Zilal said.
The Health Ministry was not immediately available for comment. Dhangethi is an island with a population of 700 people.
