Maldives Expands Cervical Cancer Screening Nationwide to Boost Early Detection Rates

The Maldives is scaling up its national healthcare infrastructure to combat cervical cancer, one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in the country. Accounting for half of all female reproductive malignancies locally, the government is prioritizing early detection to reduce mortality rates and improve patient outcomes. During a recent session of the Majlis (the Maldivian Parliament), Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Geela Ali announced that screening efforts have been expanded across Malé and the surrounding atolls. The initiative aims to ensure that women, particularly those over 30, have consistent access to routine Pap smear testing, which remains the most critical preventative measure for life-saving intervention. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to decentralize specialized care. Minister Ali noted that following the introduction of mammography services, 750 individuals have already accessed breast cancer testing. The administration now plans to extend these capabilities to three additional atolls, with a long-term goal of establishing such diagnostic tools in every hospital across the archipelago. The government is also working to reduce the reliance on overseas medical travel. While 39 individuals required chemotherapy treatment abroad in 2025, 655 patients were successfully treated within the Maldives. Minister Ali emphasized that domestic chemotherapy services are already operational and accessible. Looking ahead, the administration aims to establish a specialized cancer facility equipped with PET scans and radiation therapy. This facility would provide a comprehensive suite of domestic oncology care, eliminating the financial and emotional burden of traveling abroad for treatment. By integrating advanced diagnostics with nationwide screening, the health ministry seeks to transform the Maldives' approach to cancer from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.