Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Geela Ali has said digital health systems are just a future ambition but also an essential need in the present.
She made the remarks while speaking at the launch of the Maldives Digital Health Blueprint.
The minister said the blueprint is the first step under the Maldives 2.0 Health Sector Roadmap. She emphasised that equal and timely access to healthcare across all islands, including remote areas, must be prioritised due to the country’s geography and rising health demands.
The minister also stressed the need for a connected, data-driven, and people-centred health system as a basic requirement for quality healthcare. She described such developments as a sign of prosperity. The Maldives Digital Health Blueprint lays the foundation towards achieving this goal, she said. It sets out both the long-term vision, and the steps needed to achieve it, she added.
The initiative is part of President Muizzu’s Maldives 2.0 vision, which includes broader government digital transformation and improved service delivery. The minister said the health sector is a key pillar of this national vision, adding that the launch marks the beginning of digital transformation in the health sector.
The minister also stressed the importance of protecting health data and personal information as digital services expand. The goal is to build a secure and reliable digital health system with equal access to services for all citizens, she said.