Maldivian Blood Services seeks a permanent DG

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) posted a job vacancy announcement on Wednesday, seeking a permanent director general to the Maldivian Blood Services (MBS) – a key institution charged with the responsibility of the welfare of hundreds of thalassemia patients in the Maldives.

The MBS, commonly referred to as the thalassemia center, hasn’t had a director general since 2017.

On March 22, dozens of thalassemia patients and their families gathered outside the MBS headquarters in Male’, accusing senior officials of the institution of negligence and incompetence, and demanding the resignation.

The protest prompted a visit the next day from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who noted that the MBS hasn’t had a director general for eight years, and vowed to implement immediate measures to improve the services provided at the center.

On March 24, Ahmed Mausoom was appointed as the MBS’ director general.

Mausoom had been serving as the director general of the Local Government Authority (LGA) at the time.

MBS said that Mausoom was appointed as the head of the institution as an immediate measure to address the pressing issues.

The Thalassemia Act requires the MBS to have a director general with certain technical expertise.

On Wednesday morning, the CSC posted an announcement on the Government Gazette seeking a permanent director general to the MBS as required under the law.

The monthly salary for the post is MVR 21,884, with an allowance of MVR 12,534, and a daily attendance allowance of MVR 339.

Interested candidates are required to submit their application by 02:00 pm April 17.

At least one senior at the MBS was transferred out of the institution in the aftermath of the protest; Faisal Ibrahim, who worked as a public health coordinator.

The Health Ministry has announced plans to recruit two deputy director generals, as well as a physician, five nurses, and administrative workers to the institution.

Maldives is home to the largest population of thalassemia patients in the South East Asia region, with over 600 registered thalassemia patients.

However, there have been persistent complaints regarding the poor quality of healthcare services available to thalassemia patients as well as lack access to a regular supply of the essential medicines they need.