Maldives, 31 May 2017 -- World Health Organization has conferred Minister of Health, Maldives Honorable Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim the World No Tobacco Day Award in recognition of his leadership and commitment towards tobacco control in the country.
With technical support from WHO Country Office, Minister led the organization of a High Level Advocacy Forum with presence of HE Vice President, several Cabinet Ministers and importantly Members of Parliament and provided with evidence for raising the tax on tobacco as one of the cost effective strategies for tobacco control in the region, resulting in the exemplary policy initiative to ensure raising the tax on Tobacco Products in the country to approximately 60%, a major milestone for Maldives and the WHO South East Asia Region.
The Honorable Minister of Health supported the hosting of the Pre COP (Convention of Parties) Meeting in Maldives in September 2016 which was held successfully. Maldives was a member of Regional Bureau of FCTC until 2016, and Minister supported the nominated representative to fulfill obligations and contributions to regional and global goals for Tobacco control.
He demonstrated leadership in ensuring availability of Tobacco Cessation Services in Maldives with launching of Tobacco Cessation Toolkit while making services available in Male’ and increasingly expanding at regional and atoll hospitals. He led the discussion and negotiated with Asandha and NSPA for inclusion of Tobacco Cessation Medication within Health Insurance Coverage, free of charge.
In addition, Mr Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim revitalized the Tobacco Control Board-an independent multi-disciplinary advisory body with representation from multiple sectors while ensuring regular Board meetings and participates regularly to understand the challenges and guidance that Board provides for enhancing tobacco control activities in Maldives which have been acted upon.
Additionally, the Minister Led the World No Tobacco Day 2016 Activities organized at atoll level through “iChoose Life Campaign” including an island-wide walk with participation of the community that contributed to enhanced awareness amongst population on Tobacco Control. Through this initiative, he also encourages Hospitals and Health Facilities to become Smoke and Tobacco Free and intends recognition of such facilities.
The Maldives continues to face the challenges such as amending the legislation further especially to address issues relating to Graphic Health Warnings, enforcement of ban on smoking at public places and bring in the legal provisions for banning the sale of single sticks of cigarettes.
Commending the contribution of Minister Nazim and complimenting his Ministry team; Dr Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative to Maldives stated that such tobacco control measures will further advance public health and accelerate development as tobacco consumption has major social, economic and environmental consequences.
On World No Tobacco Day, it is important to reaffirm our commitment to address tobacco’s threat to public health and sustainable development. The WHO Country Office assures our highest commitment to the Government of Maldives to ensure tobacco free generations to come.
Minister of Health Honorable Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim conferred WHO’s World No Tobacco Day Award
