Category: News in Brief

MP Ali Waheed appointed national team manager

MP Ali Waheed has been appointed manager of the national football team by the Football Association of Maldives (FAM).

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, FAM Chairman Ali Azim, opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) MP for Mid-Henveiru, explained that the association wanted someone who was not currently employed by a local football club in order to avoid dissension in the squad.

Ali Waheed had been deputy leader of DRP before he defected in May to join the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Azim told press that while he anticipated criticism from the DRP for the decision, “I want to show that I don’t bring politics into this and will do whatever I can for the good of football [in the country].”

Ali Waheed meanwhile revealed that he still had the jersey of the national team player – a constituent in Waheed’s home island Thohdhoo – who scored the winning goal in the 2008 SAFF Championship.

“I want to see a day like that day [Maldives became regional champions] in 2008 when everyone in the country celebrated regardless of [political affiliation],” said Ali Waheed, who had formerly served as manager of New Radiant Sports Club.

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Cabinet consultations continue over hospital upgrade plans

The cabinet is working to finalise proposals for upgrading Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital and Addu City Regional Hospital in order to match the services provided at Male’s Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and better meet the challenges facing the country’s health sector.

The Ministry of Health was not able to detail the exact nature of these proposed upgrades when contacted by Minivan News, but said discussions would continue in cabinet over the next few days regarding the “improvements” required to the hospitals and the wider health sector.

According to the President’s Office, a steering committee of cabinet ministers has been drawn up to try and outline the direction of the hospital upgrades and identify present shortcomings within the country’s health services.  Efforts for combating the spread of dengue fever are also said to be a part of the discussions.

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Over 1000 Maldivians set for Umra pilgrimage

An estimated 1,120 Maldivians are expected to take part in a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, later this month in celebration of the Islamic holy month of Ramazan, according to local media.

Miadhu reports that 10 different organisations within the country are said to be involved in providing Umra packages that include transportation to Saudi Arabia, as well as accommodation and food. Each year, around two million people are said to take part in the Ramazan Umra pilgrimage.

According to the report, packages are believed to cost around Rf30,000, though these costs are thought to have increased by 15 percent since changes imposed to the fixed US dollar exchange rate came into effect earlier this year.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Islamic Affairs was unavailable to confirm the figures when contacted by Minivan News at the time of going to press.

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Tata announces government link-up for residential developments

India-based construction giant Tata Housing Development has announced a multi-million dollar cooperation agreement with the Maldives government to construct residential and resort properties in the country.

The Wall Street Journal newspaper reports that as part of a Maldives government-commissioned programme valued at an estimated US$190million, Tata will develope around 350 residential flats and a number of island villa properties that will be sold both to the state and on the open market.

Tata estimates that about 80 per cent of the flat developments from the project would be sold to the Maldivian government, with the remaining properties sold privately in the country. No plans were mentioned for the proposed island villas.

Tata Housing Managing Director and Chief Executive Brotin Banerjee has told media that the project is expected to be completed within two to three years, with work carried out by a company called Apex Realty, part of the SG18 Developers group.

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First national drug use survey begins

The first nationwide survey on the extent of drug abuse in Maldivian society, dubbed “National Drug Use,” has begun today.

According to a press statement issued by the Health Ministry, the survey is being carried out with financial assistance from the European Union (EU) and will be conducted in collaboration with Maldivian company Enova Pvt Ltd.

Professional assistance to the survey, which will seek to identify the extent of drug use among Maldivians aged 16 to 64 years, was provided by the UNODC and the All India Institute for Medical Science.

A final report on the survey will be released in February 2012.

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Four Maldivian children win medals at Special Olympics

Maldivian children with special needs who competed in the Special Olympics in Greece this year have won three gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal.

All four Maldivians, three boys and one girl, won medals in their events.

Mohamed Mustafa Ahmed, adult attendant of the athletes in Greece, told newspaper Haveeru yesterday that he was very pleased with the success as this was the first time Maldivians with special needs had taken part in the Special Olympics.

“This goes to show that such children can be part of society and participate in sports like other children,” he said.

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VIP room at IGMH to house dengue patients

A VIP room at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) intended for use by the President and his family has been given over to house dengue patients.

Earlier this week, 19 beds were set up at the hospital’s emergency lobby, which has since been used as a makeshift ward. In addition, the observation and physiotherapy areas are also being used to treat dengue patients.

President Mohamed Nasheed reportedly made the decision to use the VIP room today because the lobby area did not have a toilet for the patients.

MNBC One reports that the patients at the makeshift ward were now being transferred to the VIP room, which has enough space for 14 beds.

Meanwhile physiotherapy appointments at IGMH were cancelled yesterday while all non-emergency surgeries were suspended today.

While the seasonal dengue outbreak has claimed seven lives this year so far, including four children in 48 hours last week, the dengue control task force revealed yesterday that the number of cases reported has fallen in the past three days.

Some 18 cases were reported on the first day, followed by 16 the next day and 11 yesterday.

Haveeru reported that 35 patients have been admitted at IGMH among a total of 75 nationwide. Of the 35 patients at IGMH, four in serious condition had been placed under special care.

“These four cases did not have the risk of being fatal. But we have placed the patients under special care,” said Dr Ali Latheef, senior consultant at IGMH.

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Fourth consecutive parliament sitting cancelled

Today’s sitting of parliament was cancelled by Speaker Abdulla Shahid less than five minutes after it began at 1:00pm with the parties deadlocked over the new composition of committees.

Following yesterday’s cancellation and the delayed start today, Shahid began with a statement regarding the dispute but was unable to continue reading it over the clamour of protesting MPs.

The Speaker said that the next sitting would be held after consultation with Majority Leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Minority Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali “when circumstances would allow the sitting to be held.”

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President inaugurates Maldives Film Awards

President Mohamed Nasheed last night joined some of the country’s most high-profile film makers and actors in Male’ to inaugurate a new awards ceremony honoring their work.

The Maldives Film Awards, which are said to have been organised for the first time by the Maldives Film Association, were held at the Social Centre in Male’ with the film ‘Happy Birthday’ proving the night’s major winner – earning 12 accolades.

The production, directed by Mumin Fuadh, collected awards for best film, director and original screenplay as well as the best actor accolade for Yosuf Shafiu.

Among the other categories contested on the night, the award’s jury gave Niuma Mohamed the best actress prize for her role in the film ‘Yousuf’. The ceremony also saw Ahmed Laish Asim collect the award for best child actor in the film ‘Yousuf’.

Other major recipients during the ceremony included Hassan Manik, who took home a lifetime achievement award.

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