Parliament receives bill seeking to privatise rehabilitation centres

A new bill proposed by the government seeking an amendment to the Drug Act to privatise rehabilitation centres has been received by the parliament.

The bill, submitted by Holhudhoo MP Ali Mohamed, was received with 62 votes in favour and none against.

Ali Mohamed told Sun Media that the purpose of the bill was to provide all rehabilitation services under one roof, and to establish private rehabilitation centres operated as per guidelines set up by the government.

The bill states that a detoxification centre, a drug treatment and rehabilitation centre, a children’s treatment and rehabilitation centre, a women’s treatment and rehabilitation centre, and a halfway house, a drug offender remand centre shall be established within six months of the new law coming into effect.

Announcements shall be made to seek private parties interested in operating all these centres excluding the drug offender remand centre, which shall be operated by the government, states the bill.