Senior officials from the government and two United Nations agencies convened this week for a high-level consultation to address the country’s shifting demographic profile and escalating public health challenges.
Hosted by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the meeting drew cabinet ministers, members of Parliament, senior government officials, and health sector experts. Discussions centred on fortifying the national health system and ensuring its capacity to respond to both present and emerging threats.
Among the trends identified were several with long-term implications for national health security. A marked decline in the elderly population signalled a demographic transition, while officials also cited a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and rising mental health concerns among children and adolescents.
These developments prompted calls to strengthen institutional capacity. Delegates stressed the importance of a coordinated response to the increasing prevalence of NCDs and the deteriorating mental well-being of the younger generation, framing both as central to the country’s future resilience.
A shared consensus emerged around the principle that public health is a collective responsibility. Attendees advocated for an integrated policy approach that reaches beyond the health sector, urging collaboration across education, environmental, and social domains to achieve sustainable well-being. The programme also featured a panel discussion led by Maimoona Aboobakuru, Director General of the Health Protection Agency (HPA), joined by experts from the fields of health and sport.
Insights from the consultation will inform the forthcoming National Development Plan, according to a statement from the Health Ministry. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising population well-being in future planning, describing the consultation as a pivotal step in aligning national policy with the country’s evolving health landscape.