Campaign trail: coverage for mental health

A daily roundup of headlines made by the candidates, running mates and their surrogates on the campaign trail.

September 10

• Rally to show PPM’s “size” on Monday (Avas)
• PPM’s “Emmen Ekakah” rally next Monday (Mihaaru)
• They said 25-storey cave because they’re uncivilised: Shaheem (Avas)
• Saying no to foreign influences is proof of this government’s strength: Dr Shaheem (PSM)
• Not bowing to foreign decisions is the Maldives’ strength: Shaheem (Avas)
• New runway opening on the 18th of this month (PSM)
• Saeed’s retort: there won’t be a runway of this standard in this region (Mihaaru)
• If we’re to respond to people, we can’t develop: Saeed (Avas)

The ruling Progressive Party of Maldives announced a rally will be held in Malé next week to show its “official size” after the opposition coalition’s massive rally in the capital Saturday night.

The president’s running mate Dr Mohamed Shaheem continued campaigning in the south-central Dhaalu atoll. The refusal to comply with demands from foreign organisations does not mean the Maldives has become isolated, he insisted.

“It means the Maldives became stronger in the international community. The Commonwealth too tried to impose strong measures on the Maldives. Before they took action, the president took action against them.”

The president fostered closer ties with Arab and Islamic nations, he added. As a result, Maldivians no longer have to travel overseas for Hajj visas and Pakistan is financing a medical college, Shaheem said.

Economic Development Minister Mohamed Saeed met the press on the airport island and defended plans to inaugurate the new runway with the landing of an Airbus A380 before the September 23 election. He dismissed concerns over “a huge safety risk” raised by a former attorney general. Opposition figures always seek to bring the nation into disrepute, he said.

• The coalition isn’t confused about this government’s size: Mariya (Raajje)
• Ameeth’s question: how much will you spend to show official size? (Raajje)
• Ibu to Sh. and N. atolls, Faisal to Th. atoll (Mihaaru)
• Faisal will visit 13 islands in Th. atoll in three days (Raajje)
• We will find a much happier Maldives at a swift speed: Ibu (Vnews)
• Ibu’s invitation to MDA: come to this side quickly without getting left out (Avas)
• Ibu calls on MDA members to join the coalition (Raajje)
• Ibu’s retort: This is a cocktail coalition (Mihaaru)
• The moment of peace the public wants can be found by voting for coalition parties: Ibu (Vnews)
• Our opponent’s campaign is intimidation over jobs: Ibu (Raajje)
• Even if they steal cash, we shouldn’t let them steal votes: Ibu (Mihaaru)
• Noonu atoll council PPM member signs for MDP (Raajje)
• Warm welcome for Ibu in Velidhoo (Avas)
• Hafsee joins MDP, campaigning with Ibu in Noonu atoll (Raajje)
• We will increase salary of health sector employees: Ibu (Mihaaru)
• Ibu reveals short outline of coalition government’s health services (Vnews)
• Ibu’s health policy: we will give Aasandha to mental illnesses (Avas)
• Along with airport, many pledges from Ibu for people of Velidhoo! (Raajje)
• We will raise salaries of the health sector: Ibu (VFP)
• We will raise salary of nurses and health workers: Ibu (Avas)
• We will not take duty from imported agricultural equipment: Faisal (Raajje)
• We will not prioritise anything over the people and the nation: Faisal (Vnews)
• We will begin land reclamation in Hirilandhoo: Faisal (Raajje)
• We will develop resort in Kadoodhoo lagoon: Faisal (Vnews)
• Most residents of Machchangoalhi are very angry with the government: Aisha (Vnews)
• President Yameen will get a U report, he couldn’t fulfill pledges: Hassan Latheef (Raajje)

Joint opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ‘Ibu’ travelled to the northern Noonu atoll as his running mate Faisal Naseem went to the southern Thaa atoll.

On Landhoo island, Ibu promised an inquiry into the corrupt sale of islands and lagoons and the inflated costs of mega projects. The coalition government would not stop ongoing projects, he assured the people of Maafaru, promising to complete the island’s airport.

He cautioned opposition supporters to be wary of attempts to rig the vote.

At the main rally Monday night on Velidhoo, Ibu focused on his healthcare policy, pledging pay rises for workers. A coalition government would build hospitals in four regions and ensure that the Aasandha health insurance scheme is available without discrimination. “Even in this 21st century, adequate medical care is unavailable in the Maldives except in Malé,” he observed.

He pledged to establish a National Mental Health Institute to treat illnesses such as depression and to make counselling services more widely available with regional psychiatric centres. Aasandha would be expanded to provide comprehensive coverage for mental health, the candidate pledged.

Photo of Ibu by Munshid and Shaheem from his Twitter page.