Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, Maldives’ Minister of Health, has announced that the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (SHASSC) has begun importing and supplying medicines to islands across the country.

Speaking on Public Service Media’s Raajje Miadhu, the minister said the establishment of a dedicated company to handle medicine imports would help identify problems in the pharmaceutical supply system and improve services.

Nazim said the company is currently starting its operations and will soon share updates on its progress. He added that some medicines are already being imported and distributed to the islands.

Ibrahim Haleem, CEO of the Malé City Group of Hospitals, has been appointed as chairman of the corporation, while Dr Shah Mahir serves as managing director.

Pharmacies previously operated by the State Trading Organization (STO) are also being transferred to the new corporation. According to STO officials, work began earlier to transfer 196 pharmacies to SHASSC, along with around 600 employees.

STO first began providing pharmacy services in the Maldives in 1984 and has operated pharmacies in inhabited islands for more than a decade.