Maldives News Bulletin - Volume 156

Vice President underscores importance of facilitating opportunities for thalassemia children without discrimination

Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef has said that thalassemia children are part of our society and should have all the same opportunities as other children, without discrimination. He made the remark at the launch of the Thalassemia Prevention and Control Master Plan for the next ten years at Crossroads Maldives on Monday.

At the ceremony, the Vice President underscored the urgency and importance of addressing the healthcare needs of thalassemia children. He stressed that blood donation should be a joyous act for everyone, as the blood we donate is the lifeline for these children.

The Vice President said that the problem of unexplained infant deaths suffered by some families in the past have now been identified in the light of science, and the measures to be taken to prevent the diseases have been revealed. He added that Maldives has been working for many years to raise awareness about the importance of family planning to include thalassemia testing.

The Vice President’s speech highlighted the Government’s unwavering commitment to assisting children suffering from thalassemia. He emphasised that one of the top priorities of President Dr Muizzu’s 

Administration, despite the challenges in the system, is to provide the necessary treatment and assistance to these children and has placed great emphasis on making significant progress.

He noted that the Government had started covering bone marrow treatment expenses for children suffering from thalassemia, and aims to provide opportunities for more children. He went on to say that the medicines and consumables needed for thalassemia children are also available in remote areas of the country. Vice President also highlighted that one of the most essential things President Dr Muizzu was talking about even before he came to power was the negligence of the then Government in the health system.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed tonight, a hospital dedicated to thalassemia children will be built in line with President Dr Muizzu’s pledge. The Vice President highlighted the importance of this development, as it will significantly improve the healthcare services for thalassemia children.

The Vice President added that due to the country’s geographical dispersion of islands, transportation and commuting are challenging, and people must travel to distant places to diagnose diseases. As such, even if something happens, given the financial situation, the people living in remote islands endure a lot of hardship. He said the Government is arranging for the facility to be conducted in their homelands to end this. The contractors signed an agreement to build the hospital, marking a significant step forward in the fight against thalassemia.

The 10-year master plan for thalassemia control, a comprehensive strategy, was launched by the Vice President. He reiterated the importance of this plan, which encompasses seven central policies. These include strengthening services to improve their quality, raising awareness of thalassemia, working to prevent thalassemia through holistic approaches, maintaining service quality development, developing infrastructure, strengthening human capital development, incorporating services based on innovative technologies and maintaining the service’s professionalism. This plan, he emphasised, is a crucial tool in efforts to combat thalassemia.

Government to conduct skills-requirement study

Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development has announced the preparation of a research report that focuses on higher education fields critical for national development. This initiative is undertaken by the ministry with the assistance of the World Bank, under the Sustainable and Integrated Labour Services (SAILS) project.

The primary aim of this initiative is to identify key areas that significantly contribute to the country’s national development and to increase higher education opportunities in these fields. The ministry has indicated that it has gathered relevant information from various government authorities, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and councils. Furthermore, efforts are underway to obtain additional data. 

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to increase skill development opportunities for Maldivians to ensure their active participation in national development.

SOURCE : PSM

Maldives National University to establish Faculty of Agriculture

Chancellor of the Maldives National University (MNU) Dr Mahamood Shougee has announced plans to establish a faculty curated for higher education in the field of agriculture. Chancellor Dr Shougee made this announcement, speaking at a panel discussion held to mark the World Food Day and the National Farmers’ Day.

In his remarks, Chancellor Dr. Shougee emphasised the pride the Maldives takes in its agriculture industry and food production. Despite agriculture and food production being directly linked to the Maldivian culture and lifestyle, the chancellor highlighted the increasing dependency on imported food products. According to Dr. Shougee, the disadvantages of the Maldives’ dependency on imported food products was experienced during the COVID-19 global pandemic. He observed that the country faced significant economic challenges due to the closing of borders. During this time, he observed, residents starting to resume farming activities in anticipation of worsening food shortages.

Chancellor Dr Shougee also highlighted the low representation of the youth demographic in the farmer’s registry maintained by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare. He said that the Faculty of Agriculture would address this issue and create opportunities in the field of agriculture. He reaffirmed the university’s dedication to supporting government efforts to achieve food security through education and technology, while also aiming to reduce food imports.

The panel discussion held to commemorate the World Food Day and the National Farmers’ Day focused on beneficial food items, food security, food safety, the minimalization of food spoilage, challenges posed by adverse weather conditions and climate change, as well as sustainable farming practices.

SOURCE : PSM

Government mandates presence of a health officer for every 75 employees

The government has announced a new regulation that mandates the presence of a health and safety officer at any workplace employing more than 75 workers.

The Occupational Safety and Health Regulations was developed under the newly enacted Workplace Safety and Health Act, 2024. The Labour Relations Authority (LRA) will be responsible for enforcing the regulation, which aims to promote safe and healthy work environments. The regulation also outlines the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in ensuring workplace safety and health.

Under the Workplace Safety and Health Regulations, employers are required to establish safety and health arrangements at their workplaces. The regulations mandate that a health and safety officer must be appointed for every 75 employees, with the number of officers increasing as with employee strength. 

The regulation details that workplaces with 75 to 150 employees must have one health officer, those with 151 to 300 employees must have two health officers, those with 301 to 500 employees must have three health officers. In addition, workplaces with 501 to 1,000 employees must appoint four health officers, and those with over 1,001 employees are required to have five health officers.

The duties of health and safety officers, as outlined in the regulations, include educating employees about workplace safety regulations, conducting training programmes, performing regular safety assessments, and ensuring the implementation of safety protocols. Health officers are also tasked with identifying potential health hazards and taking preventive measures to address them.

SOURCE : PSM

MNU launches “Dhanduveriya” app to provide vital information for farmers

The Maldives National University (MNU) has introduced a mobile version of its “Dhanduveriya” application, designed to provide farmers with a wealth of essential information. The mobile application was officially launched by the Chancellor of MNU, Dr Mahamood Shougee, during a special panel discussion held to celebrate National Farmers’ Day and World Food Day. Originally launched as a web application in 2023, “Dhanduveriya” is now accessible on mobile devices, with its full completion expected by January 2025.

This initiative is part of the Maldives Agri Business Program, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The application offers enhanced services, including technical farming guidance, crop planning with automated activity reminders for planting and harvesting, and a community forum for discussing agricultural challenges. It also includes a marketplace, connecting farmers with buyers, and real-time updates on agricultural product prices.

Technical information of farming will be accessible to all users through the application. However, features like the forum and marketplace require users to log in via the eFaas portal.

SOURCE : PSM

Minister of Transport meets with IATA Area Manager for South Asia and Maldives Airlines Operators Committee.

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen and senior officials from the Ministry met with IATA Area Manager for South Asia, along with the Maldives Airlines Operators Committee. They discussed various ways to improve services in the aviation industry in the Maldives, including capacity building, security, and future technologies.

SOURCE : Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation

The Maldives Takes Significant New Step to Enhance Conservation of Whale Sharks with National Regulation

The Government of Maldives has taken a significant step toward the conservation of marine life with the publication of Regulation No. 2024/R-96, aimed at enhancing interactions with whale sharks. This regulation marks the seventh amendment to the Protected Species Regulation (2021/R-25), revising the existing Code of Conduct for the Protection and Conservation of Whale Sharks, which was first established in 2009. 

The new policy reinforces the Maldives’ commitment to marine conservation with stringent guidelines designed to ensure the safety of both tourists and the majestic gentle giants who make their home in Maldivian waters. Key provisions of the new regulation include maintaining a safe distance from whale sharks, with a minimum of three metres from their bodies and four metres from their tails. It strictly prohibits touching whale sharks or swimming alongside them while holding on. Additionally, interactions should be approached calmly and quietly, with movement limited to the sides of the whale sharks to avoid chasing or obstructing their natural path.

The regulation further prohibits the feeding of whale sharks and restricts the use of flash photography, selfie sticks, or bright lights during interactions. Special guidelines for aerial photography dictate that drones must be operated at least 30 metres above sea level and within the operator’s line of sight. It also designates a 250-metre contact zone around whale sharks that will allow only three vessels at a time, enforcing a speed limit of five knots per hour, and dropping to two knots within 50 metres of the whale shark. Emergency protocols are established for vessels, ensuring that whale sharks are not obstructed or disturbed during their natural behaviours.

In the event of encountering an injured or entangled whale shark, the regulation provides clear directives to follow, including notifying the Environment Protection Agency and ensuring the whale shark’s safe release.

This new regulation is set to enhance the experience for tourists interacting with whale sharks in the Maldives while also safeguarding the vital ecosystem that supports whale sharks in their natural habitat. With this regulation, the Maldives continues to lead by example in marine conservation efforts, ensuring that future generations can appreciate the beauty of these gentle giants. 

SOURCE : Visit Maldives