The World Health Organisation (WHO) has commended the great strides taken by the Maldives in the health sector. The statement was made by the Regional Director of the WHO Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh during a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid. She is currently undertaking an official visit to the Maldives from December 18-20 upon the invitation of Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem.
During the meeting, Dr. Khetrapal Singh praised the efforts of the government of the Maldives for its response to and recovery efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic. Noting the great strides, the government has made in the health sector, she commended the Maldives for successfully eliminating many diseases targeted for elimination, including Malaria, Polio, and mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.
Meanwhile, Minister Shahid thanked Dr. Khetrapal Singh for her outstanding leadership and efforts to advance regional health, accelerating the process of immunization and promoting integrated health services. He expressed appreciation for the WHO for prioritizing the need of small states in times of need, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, by improving health security and resilience.