Maldives Launches Symposium to Forge National Strategy for Senior Citizens

A high-level, two-day symposium has commenced in the Maldives, bringing together government ministries, UN agencies, and key stakeholders to formulate a comprehensive national strategy for the health and social security of the nation's senior citizens. The forum aims to address the growing needs of an aging population, a demographic shift confirmed by 2020 census data. Dr. Ahmed Ashraf, Director General of Health Services, outlined the symposium's critical objectives to PSM News. "The symposium will provide a wide range of discussions on what can be done to keep the elderly in good health," he said. "Our goal is to ensure that older people live longer in good health. They will need medical treatment, prevention, healthy food, mental health, all these things." Dr. Ashraf emphasised that the discussions would analyse the current situation to identify service gaps, with findings directly informing the National Development Plan. The international dimension of the initiative was highlighted by Japanese Ambassador to the Maldives, Ishigami Rumiko. "The problem of the elderly is mostly in developed countries but both developing and developed countries have to prepare for an aging population," she noted at the opening ceremony. She acknowledged efforts to strengthen the national health system and improve the quality of services for the elderly. Marking a significant step forward, Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim officially launched the next 10-year Dementia Action Plan during the event. This launch, combined with the symposium’s wide-ranging consultations, underscores a concerted government effort to enhance and future-proof health services across the Maldives, with a dedicated focus on the well-being of its senior citizens.