Salary increases in education and health care will be included in the state budget for next year, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said on Thursday.
He made the remarks while replying to a citizen’s question about the challenges in getting doctors for the health centre at a meeting with Ukhulhas residents as part of his ongoing tour to Alif Alif Atoll.
President Solih stated that obtaining highly experienced and trained doctors was difficult owing to the low wages provided to them, noting that specialist doctors in the Maldives are paid USD 3,000 – the lowest in the region.
The president stated that, during this week’s discussion on the state budget for next year, it was determined that the salaries of teachers and doctors will be raised, adding that the specifics of the raises will be disclosed later.
He is now on a two-day visit to six islands in Alif Alif Atoll. As part of the trip, he will visit Thoddoo, Rasdhoo, Ukulhas, Mathiveri, Bodufolhudhoo, and Himandhoo, accompanied by a delegation of cabinet members and senior government officials.