Emphasising that the Government budget for 2025 would focus on alleviating housing issues, the President has stated that the Government is working on resolving the problem of unaffordable housing loans. He made these remarks whilst speaking at the ceremony to mark the Government’s first year in office.
He further mentioned that the Administration had introduced an affordable Shariah-compliant housing loan with no more than 5 per cent interest, as he had previously pledged. The President described the loan as which is truly affordable. The President stated that the loan scheme and the Government’s efforts to compile a fishermen’s registry, would assist in issuing loans to fishermen and other such families for the first time.
He highlighted that there were numerous challenges concerning the realisation of the Administration’s goals at the beginning of the tenure. However, the President revealed that many of these goals have already been delivered to the people. In that regard, he noted the establishment of the air ambulance service which transported 540 patients and the coverage of many healthcare services under the national the Government’s universal healthcare insurance scheme, Aasandha, including coverage for In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) services and other reproductive health related services.
He added that the mental health helpline set up to ensure the wellbeing of people coping with mental health issues had been instrumental in providing relief to youth. The Administration introduced a nationwide single hotline, 911, within the past 52 weeks of the government. The hotline aims to eliminate the hassle of sifting through emergency numbers by adopting a single, unified number.
Highlighting that the Administration aims to provide the necessary care for its people swiftly, the President shed light on efforts to assist Thalassemia patients. He said that 14 state-sponsored patients have been sent abroad for bone marrow transplants within the past 52 weeks of the Administration.
Reiterating the Administration’s focus on delivering results, the President noted the progress achieved in easing housing difficulties. In that regard, the President stated that in order to make housing affordable the Administration had provided relaxations to those with social housing who are unable to pay their dues.
The President also highlighted economic activities such as the establishment of bunkering services, sea-to-air cargo services, and the Development Bank of Maldives. He mentioned that as part of ongoing efforts to decentralise governance and services, councils have been allocated uninhabited islands for commercial benefits. Additionally, administrative services such as National Identity Card (NID) and passport services are now provided nationwide. The President also pledged to budget the initiation of infrastructure projects on the islands and to ensure its completion before the end of his tenure.
As the President had stated upon assuming office, he would place equal importance on developing infrastructure, ideological, and religious education. He highlighted some efforts made in these areas within the past 52 weeks. In this regard, the President stated that 270 religious speakers had been trained and other opportunities had been provided for youth in the religious sector. The President also highlighted that teacher training opportunities have surged to levels unprecedented in the past decade.
