'Will resolve issues within social health insurance scheme' - Pres Solih

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that the government is working to resolve issues identified within the social health insurance scheme.

Speaking at the ceremony to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Tiny Hearts of Maldives NGO on Monday, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih noted that many children have lost their lives to congenital heart diseases, and assured that enhanced insurance coverage services will extend to newborns with heart conditions and include assistance and support to the families.

The President assured that the government is undertaking efforts to prevent and protect children from heart diseases under its efforts to establish a healthy society.

While a reliable health policy was not available in the past for children with heart diseases, the lack of adequate care was due to people taking undue advantage of the existing system, said the President.

Noting that there are challenges to building a happy family life in the Maldives, the government is working to eliminate such challenges to build a healthy society, said the President.

The president noted the efforts of Tiny Hearts of Maldives over the past decade, and added that the recognition the NGO received from World Heart Foundation in 2017 is an honor for the whole country.

President Solih added that prior to the establishment of Tiny Hearts of Maldives, many Maldivians were unaware that such heart conditions in newborns are a result of congenital heart conditions. He added that the issue was brought to the governments’ attention through awareness efforts by the Tiny Hearts of Maldives.

Furthermore, President Solih highlighted that through the efforts of Tiny Hearts of Maldives over the past decade, the lives of a resounding number of newborns have been saved through early diagnosis.