Home minister faces questions as concerns mount over state of Himmafushi rehab

North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) has pressed Home Minister Ali Ihusan with questions over the state of the drug treatment and rehabilitation center in K. Himmafushi, citing mounting concern from patients and their family.

Kudu, a lawmaker from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), asked 10 questions, including clarity on allegations of the rundown state of the building, as well as lack of cleanliness at the facility.

He questioned Ihusan regarding efforts being made to improve the quality of food provided to patients, and improve the state of bathrooms and bedrooms at the facility.

Kudu also questioned the quality of treatment at the facility, asking whether the programs were based on modern scientific evidence. He asked Ihusan to check whether the programs are in compliance with human rights standards set by international organizations such as United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

“What are the efforts being made to improve the quality food and basic services, the food provided to patients, and the state of toilets and bedrooms?” asked Kudu.

Kudu also asked whether there’s a mechanism in place to check the capability of staff at the facility, and any policies in writing on providing the training they need.

He also questioned whether there’s a mechanism in place to ensure the welfare of staff who treat mental illnesses such as drug addiction.

The families of patients believe it’s necessary to ensure a safe environment where the dignity of each and every patient is protected, in compliance with international best practice, wrote Kudu.

Kudu warned that failure to provide a speedy solution to the issues could result in lack of results from the treatment, leading to relapse.

He said that the information he was seeking was of huge public interest, and asked for a response as soon as possible.

Back in June, Ihusan said that the treatment at the Himmafushi wasn’t up to par, and that the government would be launching a project in July to develop a drug facility in the island with the capacity to treat 500 patients.