A major two-day symposium aimed at strengthening health and social security for the nation's senior citizens has commenced, bringing together government ministries, UN agencies, and key stakeholders to formulate a comprehensive national strategy.
The high-level forum will feature in-depth consultations to address the growing needs of the elderly population, a demographic shift highlighted by 2020 census figures indicating the Maldives is moving towards an older population structure.
Speaking to PSM News, the Director General of Health Services, Dr Ahmed Ashraf, outlined the symposium's critical objectives.
“The symposium will provide a wide range of discussions on what can be done to keep the elderly in good health. Our goal is to ensure that older people live longer in good health. They will need medical treatment, prevention, healthy food, mental health, all these things to stay in good health,” he explained.
Dr Ashraf emphasised that the discussions would thoroughly analyse the current situation in the Maldives to identify service gaps, with the findings directly informing the National Development Plan.
The international significance of the initiative was underscored by the Japanese Ambassador to the Maldives, Ishigami Rumiko, who spoke at the opening ceremony.
“The problem of the elderly is mostly in developed countries but both developing and developed countries have to prepare for an aging population. We are seeing the process of improving the quality of services and facilities provided to the elderly,” she noted, acknowledging the important efforts being made to strengthen the national health system.
Marking a significant step forward, the Minister of Health, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, officially launched the next 10-year Dementia Action Plan during the ceremony.
This launch, coupled with the symposium’s discussions, underscores the government's concerted effort to enhance and future-proof the health services provided across the Maldives, with a dedicated focus on ensuring the health and well-being of its senior citizens.