Activities have been held nationwide to mark the World Heart Day.
The event in Male’ City was held in Hulhumale’ Phase II and was attended by the Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Geela Ali.
As part of the event, participants stood in the shape of a heart. Stalls were set up for people of different ages, with some stalls offering information on heart health and providing blood sugar and blood pressure checks. Other activities included Zumba and activities for children. Participants also wrote pledges for their heart on a pledge board.
The event was organised with participation from the Ministry of Health, Tiny Hearts of Maldives, World Health Organisation (WHO), Housing Development Corporation (HDC), the National Centre for Cardiovascular Department, Hulhumale’ Hospital, Maldivian Red Crescent, Urban Primary Health Care Centre, Maldivian Physiotherapy Association, Faculty of Health Sciences and National Diabetes Centre.
World Heart Day is observed annually on 29 September. This year’s theme is “Don’t Miss a Beat.”
A 2020–2021 study found that 4.7 percent of people aged 15–65 in the Maldives had heart disease, stroke or angina.