Improving the health status of the population has always been in the forefront of the country’s international engagement, beginning with collaboration with WHO as early as 1959, some six years ahead of becoming an independent nation.
Significant gains have been achieved in the health status of the population, leading to an epidemiological transition by mid-1990s. Nevertheless, there are still issues of pressing concern, specially in areas of micronutrient deficiency.
Today, the local campaign to improve the health status of the people is joined by rising concern about global health issues as well.
The Maldives recognizes the importance of global health as a critical component of development. Globalization has increased at a brisk pace, and so too has spread infectious and resurgent diseases. HIV/AIDS is arguably one of the biggest challenges the global community has ever faced. Moreover, the emergence of new pathogens has become a major concern around the world.
Furthermore, global pandemics such as the SARS and avian influenza (bird flu) have already taken the lives of many. It is believed that the avian flu virus has the potential of transforming itself into a new pandemic strain, against which the human population would have little or no immunity. According to scientific research, such a global pandemic could kill over a hundred million people.
In addition to direct health hazards to its population, the Maldives, as a country that depends heavily on tourism and travel, faces the additional economic risk associated with global pandemics.
The Maldives believes that a concerted global effort is necessary to rid the world of such infectious diseases and pandemics. More importantly, developing countries such as the Maldives needs assistance to build capacity, infrastructure and effective health systems.
