Health Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has revealed that when the government took office, there was MVR 300 million pending to be paid to STO for medicine and health services, a majority of which have been cleared by the government now.

Khaleel was responding to a question by Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir during in the Parliament today.

MP Mauroof said that many islands in the Maldives are complaining about the lack of consumables for health centers and basic medicines for pharmacies.

Replying to the member's question, Khaleel said that it is always the case that hospitals and health facilities run out of these items. Therefore, he noted that they are working with STO to establish a system to ensure that the items do not run out.

Khaleel said the state owed MVR 300 million for the supplies provided by STO to health facilities when the new government took over. However, most of it has now been paid to STO, which will make it easier for STO to supply materials to health sector facilities, he said.