First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has called for the creation of a Maldives where early diagnosis and accessible treatment become the norm, and where no woman has to face breast cancer alone.
She made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of the sixth annual Breast Cancer Awareness Symposium.
The First Lady highlighted the unique journey each cancer patient undergoes, stating that the courage and resilience of survivors and their families are a constant source of inspiration. This, she said, fuels the determination to continue improving the field, advancing early detection protocols, and enhancing the quality of care provided to patients.
The First Lady added that changes within the healthcare system, particularly the shift towards a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment, have ensured that patients now receive comprehensive care. This approach, she noted, involves mental health professionals, dietitians, physiotherapists, and palliative care teams working hand in hand with surgeons and oncologists. She added that such collaboration has improved outcomes, reduced suffering, and made every patient’s journey less painful.
She urged all women, especially those aged 40 and above, to undergo annual mammograms and remain vigilant between screenings. Noting that many women often neglect their own health, the First Lady emphasised that health is not a burden but a right.
The First Lady expressed her gratitude to the teams at the Ministry of Health and Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, as well as to healthcare workers on the front line of cancer treatment, for their leadership and dedication. Improvements in medical care, she added, translate directly into lives and families saved.
The symposium brings together healthcare professionals, policymakers, and survivors to discuss and advance cancer treatment, comprehensive care, preventative strategies, and the latest innovations in the field. This year’s symposium is held under the theme, “Every Patient’s Story is Unique; Every Patient’s Journey Matters.”