Maldives Launches Digital Form to Track Child Development Up to Age Five

The Maldives has launched a new Developmental Milestone Tracking Form to strengthen early childhood monitoring nationwide. Health Minister Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim emphasized the critical need to continue tracking children's development beyond age two, noting that current monitoring rates drop significantly after this age. The newly introduced form will help identify growth challenges and developmental delays in children, enabling early intervention and treatment. Health service providers across all Maldivian atolls have received training to effectively maintain and use the tracking system. Minister Ibrahim announced that the Ministry's Growth Monitoring Programme has been digitalized, allowing parents to conveniently track their children's growth and development up to five years via mobile phone. This technological upgrade aims to make monitoring more accessible for families across the island nation. Starting in 2027, the form will become mandatory for all children entering school. This requirement will help educational and healthcare professionals provide better care while enabling parents to identify any developmental challenges early. The initiative represents a significant step in strengthening the Maldives' early childhood healthcare infrastructure and ensuring children receive timely support throughout their critical developmental years.