What contribution Maldives dictator make to the World Health Organization?:: Dhivehi Observer

Editorial
What contribution Maldives dictator make to the World Health Organization?

A.S.I.Moosa (Sappe'), Dhivehi Observer, 16th May 2005

Gayyoom is in Europe for the first time in nearly 18 months. He is reportedly attending WHO assembly in Geneva as a keynote speaker. There were some rumors that Gayyoom and his companions got into some trouble in Dubai as they were about to board the Europe bound flight. Some officials did not have the visa and the trip had to be postponed for a day and for security reasons Gayyoom also had to delay his trip. We are unable to confirm this but there are reports that some of his bodyguards and companions were in fact refused a visa and had to be sent to Singapore and will return to Maldives when Gayyoom himself returns after his visit.

Many are wondering how on earth he got this opportunity to address the WHO assembly. He has done absolutely nothing to provide affordable and adequate health service to his people and most of us have to beg someone to go to India for even the most basic treatments. The main hospital in Maldives in the capital Male' is a gift from the people of India and employs hundreds of Indians. The quality of service there is disgraceful but it is the only place people can go as the only private hospital is the country is a little too expensive for the average person. Gayyoom's health minister for the last 10 years calls patients 'customers' which explains how qualified he is for the job and why the situation is so grim in the health sector.

In this speech of his, we can be certain that he will not tell the truth about the health services in Maldives. He will not tell them that when he or his family members or his friends fall ill, they just charter a flight to where ever they want to go, mostly to Singapore, whilst the people of Maldives, whose money he is spending, are left destitute begging people to travel and get their treatment in India or Sri Lanka. This is his health policy as we all know it but as usual he will say "it's simply not true, we have a very good health system in Maldives, and it is guaranteed by the constitution".

In all of this, the real sad thing is that an organization such as WHO is tarnishing its image by associating with a brutal dictator who has been in power for 27 years and has done nothing to improve the quality of life of his people and presides over a health system which is based on profit for him rather than service to the people. What on earth can he tell the world about health in such a big forum?

He should ideally be arrested in Geneva and transferred to the Hague for trial, for the human rights abuses and killing of innocent Maldivians and not stand amongst other world leaders. Murderers are supposed to be behind bars and we know he is one.