Minister of Health Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim has said that greater awareness of HIV and AIDS is needed among young people. The minister made the remarks while speaking at the opening ceremony of a family evening held in Thinadhoo City to mark World AIDS Day.
Minister Nazim said that AIDS was once a dangerous and globally concerning disease, but has now largely been brought under control. He noted that the situation in the Maldives remains manageable due to measures taken to prevent and control the disease. However, he warned that young people are increasingly being exposed to HIV, signalling the need for targeted and intensified awareness efforts.
“Hopefully, we will work together with government institutions and associations to focus on this issue. With dedication, we can achieve good results, just as progress has been made in the health sector in the past,” he said.
The minister stressed that challenges in the health sector can only be addressed through cooperation, adding that many diseases can be prevented through small lifestyle changes. He said addressing such issues is a shared responsibility.
World AIDS Day is observed annually on 1 December. This year, the national commemoration is being held in Thinadhoo, with events launched by Health Minister. To mark World AIDS Day, the Health Protection Agency organised a week-long series of activities across the atoll.
The Health Protection Agency said people of all age groups participated in the activities, with strong public cooperation contributing to the success of the events.