Decentralization Minister Adam Shareef Umar has said that it is mandatory for councils to provide basic services related to primary health care in accordance with the law, but the councils have not taken the responsibility in the best possible way.

Speaking at a news conference held to brief the media about the work done by the Decentralization Ministry, Minister Shareef said that there were also challenges in the councils not being able to fulfil their responsibilities.

"Discussions with some councils in this regard have shown the importance of this Ministry working closely with the Ministry of Health to provide basic services related to primary health care," Minister Adam Shareef said.

The minister said the process would be taken up in the near future after making arrangements for it to be done in a systematic manner in the ministry.

"There are a number of reasons why this is important, it is clear that dengue and chikungunya are already present in the Maldives and the city councils and island councils are the ones who can play a major role in the implementation of the work required in this regard," he said.