The Ministry of Health has launched the 28th National Standard for the Treatment of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim announced that the standard will ensure sustainable, safe, and reliable treatment of NCDs. He emphasised that NCDs account for 70 percent of deaths in the Maldives, stressing that the national standards are essential for early prevention and high-quality care. The standard aims to improve treatment for diseases such as cancer, kidney diseases, and other NCDs, he said.
The Minister further noted that if the policies and treatments follow the standard, it will lead to higher-quality healthcare and reduce premature deaths, while also supporting healthcare workers in making faster and better clinical decisions. It will also facilitate the procurement of imported medicines and medical equipment in the most cost-effective manner.
The 28th National Standard was developed with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific and the Government of Japan.