His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has called for embracing science and evidence-based decision-making in health policies and interventions, warning that the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation driven by social media and artificial intelligence makes this more critical than ever.
In a message issued on World Health Day, the President affirmed that the Maldives maintains a long-established culture of evidence-based decision-making, with health policies grounded in modern science, technology, and proven evidence. He outlined the Government's ongoing efforts to strengthen health systems and deliver quality services nationwide, including expanding digital health, applying local and global evidence, strengthening technical guidelines for disease surveillance, integrating health information management, promoting healthy lifestyles and early detection, and ensuring effective curative services.
President Dr Muizzu also highlighted the Administration's close collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international health institutions, ensuring the Maldives benefits from the latest scientific knowledge and practices. He called on countries to invest more in medical research and country-specific evidence gathering, and to engage in greater multilateral cooperation to ensure health interventions at both national and global levels are grounded in proven science.
Concluding his message, the President conveyed his greetings to all those working tirelessly to keep communities healthy and hopeful, and called on all Maldivians and the global community to commit to work "Together for Health, and to Stand with Science."
In a post on his X account, the President reiterated these sentiments and emphasised that science-led approaches must drive the One Health Initiative.
First Lady Sajidha Mohamed also posted on her X account, echoing the President's call for evidence-based health solutions and greater investment in research. She highlighted the link between health and the environment, noting that challenges such as climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and emerging diseases require cross-border collaboration. She also called for promoting healthier lifestyles to build a more prosperous future for all.
World Health Day is celebrated annually on 7 April to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948.