The Minister of Health, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim issued a stark warning at a major public health conference on Tuesday, stating that the nation’s entire health sector will face severe challenges if the medical needs of the foreign population are not immediately addressed.
His comments came during the inauguration of the two-day Public Health Conference, organised by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and the Maldives National University (MNU).
Highlighting a critical demographic shift, Minister Nazim revealed that one in four people currently residing in the Maldives is a foreign national. This statistic, he argued, makes their health inextricably linked to the nation's overall well-being.
He emphasised the particular risk of imported diseases, noting that many foreigners come from neighbouring countries where illnesses that are not present or have been eradicated in the Maldives may be prevalent.
The Minister called for a unified, whole-of-government approach to this potential public health issue. He urgently appealed for the participation of all institutions to facilitate access to comprehensive healthcare services for the foreign community, stating that collective action is essential for the success of these efforts.
The conference itself is set to tackle these challenges head-on. A key focus will be on discussing the implementation hurdles of the National Policy on the Health of Foreigners, which was launched in June. Attendees, including associations and government institutions working in foreigners’ affairs, will engage in scientific discussions on the obstacles foreigners face in accessing healthcare. The goal is to move beyond identifying problems and work collaboratively on strategic, research-backed solutions to create a more resilient and inclusive health system for all. This is the second iteration of the conference, with the first having been held in 2019.