Maldivian Specialist Dr Asadh Appointed President of SAARC Association of Anesthesiologists

Dr Asadh Mohamed Shaheed, a prominent Maldivian anesthesiologist and pain specialist, has been appointed President of the SAARC Association of Anesthesiologists (SAARC‑AA). The presidency is a rotating leadership role shared every two years among the member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. The Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare stated that this appointment provides a strategic opportunity for the Maldives to enhance regional cooperation. The focus will be on advancing anesthesiology, critical-care training, medical research, and the professional development of the healthcare workforce. According to the Ministry, Dr Asadh’s leadership will bridge the gap between Maldivian medical professionals and regional experts. This collaboration is expected to facilitate knowledge exchange, joint training initiatives, and improved access to technical resources for Maldivian doctors, anesthesia technicians, and nurses. Speaking to PSM News following a meeting with Health Minister Geela Ali, Director General of Health Services Dr Ahmed Ashraf emphasized the urgency of developing local expertise. Currently, only 11 Maldivian-trained anesthesiologists serve within public hospitals, leaving the country heavily reliant on expatriate staff to maintain essential surgical services. To address this shortage, Dr Ashraf outlined plans to introduce specialized anesthesia training for nurses and technicians. This initiative will be developed through the Maldivian National University (MNU) School of Medicine, in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education. Further discussions with SAARC member associations have focused on establishing standardized regional curricula and capacity-building projects. These efforts aim to meet the rising demand for anesthesia services as surgical volumes increase across the atolls. The Ministry affirmed that Dr Asadh’s tenure will position the Maldives as a proactive contributor to regional healthcare. By leveraging the SAARC‑AA forum, the government intends to strengthen national critical-care capabilities and build a sustainable, locally trained workforce of specialists.