Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has made a compelling case for decentralising healthcare systems during his address at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78), calling for a renewed focus on strengthening health infrastructure at the island level. The Minister represented the Maldives at the prestigious gathering held from 19 to 27 May 2025, where senior officials from World Health Organization (WHO) member states convened to address urgent global health concerns under the theme “One World for Health.”
The World Health Assembly is the WHO’s decision-making body and the premier international forum for health policy and collaboration. This year’s session included high-level discussions on a range of global priorities, such as pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, sustainable health financing, and equity in health systems. Among the key milestones was the formal adoption of the Pandemic Agreement on 20 May, only the second legally binding instrument under the WHO’s constitution after the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The new agreement, negotiated over three years, underscores the importance of global solidarity in preparing for and responding to future health emergencies.
In his remarks, Minister Nazim underscored the need for countries with dispersed populations—particularly small island developing states—to adopt decentralised and context-specific approaches to healthcare. He highlighted the Maldives’ unique geography, with hundreds of inhabited islands spread across vast ocean territory, as a challenge to ensuring equitable access to medical care. He argued that building resilient health systems at the island level is essential for meeting the evolving needs of the population.
Minister Nazim also drew attention to the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular illnesses. Combined with climate change-related health threats, these issues demand a robust and adaptable public health response. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding Aasandha, the Maldives’ universal health coverage programme, and enhancing tobacco control measures to safeguard future generations.
Despite these challenges, Minister Nazim acknowledged the Maldives’ strong achievements in maternal and child health, with indicators that are on par with those of high-income countries. However, he cautioned that past success must not overshadow the urgent need to address emerging health risks through improved local infrastructure, workforce capacity, and preventive care.
The Health Minister also recognised the broader relevance of WHA78’s theme, noting that for nations like the Maldives, international cooperation and knowledge-sharing are critical. He praised the adoption of the Pandemic Treaty as a milestone in reinforcing collective global readiness.
The Maldives’ participation at WHA78 reflects its commitment to contributing to international health policy discussions and advancing a people-centric, equitable healthcare system across its islands, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of health and well-being.
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