Health Minister Geela Ali: Future of Health Sector Rests on Education, Not Just Hospitals

Health Minister Geela Ali stated that the future of the Maldives health system is built on education, not solely on hospitals and technology. She made the remark while speaking at the Boutique International Conference on Medical Education (ICME) 2026. The Minister highlighted that the foundation of the health workforce in the Maldives was laid in 1973 with the formal training of Community Health Workers. She noted that over the past decade, the Maldives has seen significant development in medical education, including the growth of nursing and the establishment of the School of Medicine at the National University of Maldives (MNU). 'Medical education is not just about producing many doctors. It is about building capable, ethical, and compassionate health professionals who understand the needs of our citizens and communities,' the Minister said. She added that as the country prepares its health system for the future, it must question whether it is training professionals for yesterday's system or tomorrow's. The strength of the health system, she said, rests not only on treating diseases but on prevention, which must be placed at the heart of health services.