Maldives to Enhance Healthcare Communication with SMS Notifications in New Digital System

Minister of Health Dr Abdulla Khaleel has announced plans for the proposed digital health system, which will include SMS notifications to provide patients with timely updates on their health status, enhancing communication and care delivery nationwide.

Speaking on state media last night, following President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s address at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Minister Khaleel outlined how the system could enhance the nation’s healthcare sector.

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Minister Khaleel highlighted the current challenges faced by the Maldivian healthcare system, including difficulties in consolidating medical records and tracking patients’ health statuses. He explained that, due to the lack of an integrated platform, patients often need to repeat medical tests when moving between healthcare providers. This not only delays treatment but also increases costs for the state.

A significant obstacle, he added, is the high turnover of medical professionals in the country, with many doctors leaving after short tenures. This exacerbates the problem of maintaining consistent medical records.

To address these challenges, the Minister advocated for the digitalisation of the health sector as part of a broader push towards a digital economy. He said that a centralised digital health system would allow public and private hospitals and clinics to maintain accurate and up-to-date records of patients, enabling better continuity of care.

Under the proposed system, patients would receive SMS notifications once test results are available. “Even if the patient goes to a private clinic, once the result of the test is entered into the system, an alert will be sent to their phone, informing them of the necessary steps to take for their treatment,” Minister Khaleel explained.

Additionally, the system would enable online appointment booking and virtual consultations, offering greater convenience to the public. Minister Khaleel also noted that digitalisation could help address medication shortages on remote islands by facilitating drone deliveries.

Minister Khaleel concluded by stating that the digital health system, once established, would ensure that medical records are accessible from birth to the present, transforming the healthcare experience for Maldivians.