The government is reorienting its healthcare strategy, placing greater emphasis on prevention to address health challenges before they escalate, Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim announced. Speaking at the official World Health Day function, the minister detailed the administration's initiatives aimed at fostering a healthier population and fortifying the health system's long-term sustainability.
Observed annually on 7 April, World Health Day marks the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. The event, first observed in 1950, serves as a platform for raising awareness of global health concerns. The theme for 2025, "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures", highlights the importance of maternal and newborn health, calling for improved medical access, a reduction in preventable deaths, and a renewed focus on long-term well-being for mothers and infants.
Minister Nazim stressed the government's commitment to reinforcing the country's healthcare infrastructure, pointing to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's consistent prioritisation of health initiatives. He said the administration's efforts align closely with this year's WHO campaign, underscoring the value of preventive care as a cornerstone of health policy.
Building a healthier generation, the minister stated, remains a central aim of the president's health agenda. Among the initiatives launched to support this goal, the minister elaborated, is the fertility centre at Dharumavantha Hospital, now operational, alongside newly introduced food safety legislation designed to safeguard infant nutrition. Additional efforts, he added, have been focused on tobacco control policies, part of broader measures to curb public health risks.
The minister characterised prevention-focused healthcare policies as a necessary step in addressing systemic challenges, describing the ongoing strain on medical resources as "filling water into a footless bucket". Without proactive intervention, he noted, the system remains overwhelmed by reactive approaches.
"The government's health policies are addressing these gaps," Minister Nazim affirmed. "We are determined to continue working towards resolving these issues and, with God's will, reaching a hopeful destination."
As part of its broader strategy, the administration has implemented a nationwide ban on vapes, established a 24-hour Quick Line service, and expanded smoking cessation programmes to every inhabited island, the minister added. He noted that efforts to strengthen primary health care have also been set in motion, aimed at providing a more sustainable foundation for public health.
While acknowledging that immediate results may not be visible, Minister Nazim reinforced the government's long-term vision, asserting that the benefits of preventive healthcare will become clearer over time, ultimately strengthening the nation's health system.