Health Minister Launches Primary Care Program to Combat Rising Chronic Diseases

Health Minister Geela Ali has reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring accessible, high-quality essential healthcare for all citizens during the launch of the Primary Health Care Programme in Kaafu and Vaavu Atolls. Speaking at a ceremony in Thulusdhoo, the Minister emphasized that a robust primary healthcare system is the most effective way to manage public health and improve community well-being. Minister Geela highlighted that health is influenced by a complex interplay of personal habits, family dynamics, and environmental conditions. She noted that while the Maldives has successfully minimized communicable diseases and childhood illnesses through community collaboration, a new and more pressing challenge has emerged: the surge of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The statistics regarding NCDs in the Maldives are stark. According to the Minister, these chronic conditions now account for 84 percent of annual deaths nationwide. Much of this trend is attributed to lifestyle factors, creating a public health crisis that threatens national productivity and happiness. Data from the 2022 World Health Organization (WHO) STEPS survey further underscores the urgency. The survey revealed that one in three youth and one in two middle-aged or elderly residents possess at least three risk factors for NCDs. Alarmingly, many of these individuals remain unaware of their susceptibility to these life-threatening conditions. Minister Geela asserted that controlling NCDs is now the healthcare sector's highest priority. She called for a synchronized effort between ordinary citizens, healthcare providers, and other industries to strengthen the primary healthcare system. By focusing on prevention and early intervention at the community level, the government aims to reverse the trend of chronic illness and foster a healthier, more progressive society.