Nepal has pledged to broaden the scope of medical education and training for students from the Maldives, with plans to increase access to its Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programmes and related training opportunities. The announcement follows discussions between Khadeeja Abdul Samad Abdulla, the Maldivian Minister of State for Health, and Pradip Paudel, Nepal's Minister of Health and Population.
The talks took place in New York on the sidelines of the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD). According to the Maldivian health ministry, the discussions highlighted expanding pathways for Maldivian medical professionals to pursue postgraduate specialisations and sub-specialisations in Nepal. The two officials, according to the ministry, also reviewed an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and explored the potential for additional agreements to deepen the partnership.
Nepal has become a pivotal hub for Maldivian students seeking medical education, with institutions such as Tribhuvan University and the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) hosting numerous students over the years. Recognising the shared benefits of educational exchange, Minister Paudel reaffirmed Nepal's commitment to enhancing opportunities for Maldivian doctors to advance their skills.
Additionally, the talks highlighted Nepal and the Maldives' history of collaboration in medical education, with previous MoUs facilitating placements for Maldivian postgraduate students. Both sides expressed mutual interest in further strengthening these ties, according to government sources.
In a separate engagement, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, Minister of Health for the Maldives, participated in discussions with his Philippine counterpart during the World Patient Safety Summit held in the Philippines on 3-4 April. Addressing the challenges faced by Maldivian doctors in securing local internship opportunities, the Philippines' health minister extended support and expressed willingness to facilitate further specialisation pathways for Maldivian medical professionals.