The Maldives has earned international recognition for its efforts to improve primary healthcare, with an award acknowledging the work of the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
The recognition was presented by the Asia-Pacific Action Alliance on Human Resources for Health (AAAH) during its 14th conference in Bali, Indonesia. It highlights the country’s progress in revitalising primary healthcare services and strengthening public health, particularly through the work of the Ministry’s Primary Health Care Revitalization Team and the WHO Country Office in the Maldives.
The Ministry described the achievement as an important milestone in its ongoing efforts to improve healthcare services across the country and advance universal health coverage.
The Maldives was among two recipients in the Primary Health Care Team category. The biennial conference selected four award winners from 174 nominations, with the remaining awards recognising achievements in Health Profession Education and Health Worker Well-Being.
Speaking to PSM News, Director General of Health Services Dr Ahmed Ashraf said the awards attracted nominations from numerous countries. He noted that participation was not limited to the Asia-Pacific region, as countries from other parts of the world were also eligible to compete.
Dr Ashraf said the recognition was specifically for the Primary Health Care Revitalization Programme, jointly implemented by the Ministry and WHO. The initiative was initially introduced as a pilot project in Faafu Atoll.
He explained that the programme is being carried out in two phases, with the first focusing on providing the necessary training to healthcare personnel for its implementation. Training has now been completed across all islands.
Following the completion of the training phase, the Ministry and WHO have started implementing the programme in Faafu Atoll. The next stage will involve expanding the initiative nationwide to strengthen primary healthcare delivery throughout the Maldives.
The international recognition reflects the progress made through the partnership and the country's continued efforts to build a stronger, more accessible primary healthcare system.
