Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem has stated the Maldives’ control and management of the COVID-19 pandemic stands as a lesson to all countries. He made the remarks in his address at the 75th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
In his address, Health Minister Naseem noted the Maldives has been cited among countries that have been able to manage and control the pandemic effectively. The minister said the Maldives’ pandemic experience stands as lesson to all countries, noting the evidence based decisions, the dedicated political will from the highest authority and a whole of government approach provided for timely, effective and robust measures and decisions. He added President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, under his direct leadership, steered the Maldives towards mitigating the socio-economic impact of COVID-19.
Speaking further, Health Minister Naseem stated armed conflict and climate catastrophes have drastically reduced global food production capacity and are draining resources that had already been stretched to the limit due to the pandemic. The minister noted communities in some parts of the world have been pushed to the brink, leading to violent conflicts over scarce resources. He said these grime realities not only undermines global productivity, but also underlines the importance of peaceful co-existence, for health and well-being of humanity.
In his address, Health Minister Naseem also highlighted the challenges faced by the Maldives due to climate change. As such, the minister noted global warming and rising sea level are causing warming of the seas and more severe and frequent tidal waves and flooding in the Maldives. He said the consequent damage to coral reefs and fish stock have immeasurable and often irreversible negative impacts on livelihoods, while tidal waves and flooding often contaminates groundwater and sewerage systems, leading to disease outbreaks.
The health minister also highlighted the concern on the effects of microplastics on health, which have been increasingly found to be injected and alarmingly also found in human blood. Therefore, he said as a low-lying island nation dependent on fisheries and tourism, the climate crisis is an existential threat to the Maldives. He added the climate crisis required painful compromises, global action and resolve.
Health Minister Naseem stated the world is at a critical and pivotal juncture, with the impending pandemics, the imminent threat due to microplastics, global peace and security as well as the health of the planet all converging in unprecedented ways. Noting health is at the apex and the common threat, the minister said this provides the World Health Assembly the historic opportunity to be the torchbearer for global peace and health.
The 75th World Health Assembly is being held in Geneva from May 22-28. It is the first in-person health assembly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The theme for this year’s assembly is "Health for Peace, Peace for Health”.