Minister of Health meets with WHO Director-General at the 156th WHO Executive Board Meeting

Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim met with World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the sidelines of the WHO Executive Board meeting to discuss strengthening health systems in the Maldives, with a focus on digital health and Universal Health Coverage (UHC). During the meeting, Minister Nazim outlined key national health priorities, including:

• Expanding telemedicine services to improve access to healthcare in island communities and strengthen referral mechanisms.

• Developing digital health components to enhance service efficiency.

• Strengthening emergency medical services (EMS) and improving air ambulance services in a more cost-effective and sustainable manner.

• Implementing healthcare waste management strategies to improve sustainability and efficiency.

• Developing standardized treatment guidelines to ensure consistency and quality in healthcare services.

• Enhancing Primary Health Care (PHC) with a focus on early detection and intervention.

Dr. Tedros commended the bold initiative of His Excellency the President to ban e-cigarettes and reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting the Maldives in strengthening tobacco control, UHC, and access to healthcare. He also emphasized the importance of developing locally tailored treatment guidelines and assured WHO’s assistance in this area. WHO’s health financing team will collaborate with the Maldives to enhance health insurance mechanisms and minimize financial burdens. Additionally, WHO’s South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) will support the development of a National Essential Medicine List. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening the Maldives’ health system, particularly through investments in telemedicine, digital health, and emergency medical services as key areas for future development.