First Lady Sajidha Mohamed Promotes Healthcare and Women's Entrepreneurship in Colombo

First Lady Sajidha Mohamed visited a leading pediatric hospital and a sustainable social enterprise market in Colombo, marking a key diplomatic engagement during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s official state visit to Sri Lanka. During her visit to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, the largest facility of its kind in Sri Lanka providing free healthcare, the First Lady met with senior officials and toured critical care areas. Her itinerary included inspections of the diagnostic units, the plastic surgery ward, and various children's wards, where she engaged directly with the medical staff. In a guestbook entry, the First Lady praised the dedication and compassion of the hospital's staff, highlighting their essential role in safeguarding the health and well-being of the nation's children. The visit underscored the shared priority of pediatric care between the two neighboring nations. Expanding her engagement to the local economy, the First Lady visited the Good Market and an exhibition at The 80 Club of Colombo. The showcase featured a diverse array of products from women entrepreneurs, ranging from sustainably produced organic foods and health goods to ethically manufactured clothing and lifestyle accessories. While meeting with these entrepreneurs, the First Lady discussed strategies for business expansion and the promotion of sustainable industrial practices. She emphasized the critical importance of empowering women-led enterprises to drive inclusive economic growth and urged for stronger cross-sector collaborations to support small-scale social enterprises. These engagements serve as a testament to the deep-rooted social and cultural ties between the Maldives and Sri Lanka. By focusing on healthcare and economic empowerment, the visits aim to strengthen the bilateral relationship beyond political discourse, fostering people-to-people connections and shared developmental goals.