State of the Economy in the Maldives: Challenges and Solutions

OSA held a panel discussion on the state of the economy in the Maldives, with distinguished guest speakers:

• Ahmed Zahir - Executive Editor, reporting focus on economy and politics, Haveeru.
• Shafeenaz Sattar - Economist and Policy Analyst, Maldives Monetary Authority.
• Adam Manik - Economist and Former Deputy Finance Minister.
  
• Mohamed Wahyd - Private sector businessman, business consultant and economics teacher.
  
• Ali Hashim - Private sector businessman and business consultant.
  

Presentations were followed by a series of interesting questions from the audience and key areas of concern raised include:

• Understanding of economizing and the economy overall.
• Importance of management within businesses.
• Population consolidations.
• Control of the economy by very few key players.
• Government owned companies.
• Negative growth since Tsunami in 2005.
• Importance of monitoring policy.
• Saving habits should be encouraged and instilled.
• Tax.
  
• Need for long term solutions.

What do you think about these issues? And how do they affect you in your daily life and work?

Health care in the Maldives - are we getting what we deserve???

For a population of more than 300,000 there are just two main hospitals which is located in the capital Male', and around 5 regional hospitals spread over the country, but these regional hospitals are rarely used. It is quite common for patients to seek medical help in Male', but then IGMH with a bed capacity of 300 and ADK with a bed capacity of 50 is almost always overflowing with admissions. Then there's always a constant flow of people going abroad for further treatment, some assisted by the government. Why aren't these further treatments being established in the Maldives yet?

IGMH being the only government hospital and the biggest health care facility was presented to us by the Indian Government. And recently international funding has contributed some basic equipments to the Addu regional hospital. Do you think that hospitals have sufficient equipment and facilities to support the needs of our society? Why do you think the two main hospitals are based only in the capital? What about the rest of the country? And do you think the society has lost their trust in the current health system?

Please post your comments with answers to these questions, we want to hear about your experiences and opinions...