Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia Region, Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh has arrived on an official visit to the Maldives. This is her first visit to the Maldives since her re-election for the second term as the Regional Director. Four major events will take place during this visit taking place from 14th to 16th July.

During her trip, Regional Director will be handing over the formal WHO certification of ‘Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis’ to the Maldives. Maldives is the second country in the region to eliminate this disease.

The national roadmap to attain zero leprosy by 2030 and the global ‘Breathe life’ campaign will also be launched in the Maldives by the Regional Director.

Technological innovations are important to promote Public Health and strengthen Health Systems. An event will be held to initiate two such innovations. ‘Human Resource for Health’ platform, will enable collation of comprehensive information of health professionals working in the country. Launching of the mobile PEN Application would enable easier surveillance of Non-Communicable Diseases and provide guidelines to support the work towards reducing NCDs in Male’ and Atolls. As part of the ongoing initiative by WHO to promote active and healthy lifestyle, Regional Director will also be handing over new sets of outdoor gym equipment to the Maldives.

During her visit, Regional Director would be making a courtesy call to the Vice President, His Excellency Mr Faisal Naseem. She is also scheduled to meet with senior officials from the Ministry of Health to discuss work planned for this year to further strengthen the Health System of the Maldives and to broaden the work being carried out in Maldives to achieve the Regional and National Health Targets. Control and Elimination of diseases, strengthening emergency preparedness and advancing Universal Health Coverage are among Regional Director’s strategic priority areas for South East Asia Region.