Minister of Health Ahmed Nazim has claimed that awareness efforts aimed at preventing diseases are being carried out across atoll facilities at a scale he describes as unmatched in Maldivian history.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Health Expo 2025 on Thursday, the minister said that protecting citizens and creating a healthy community is one of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s core priorities, and that ongoing work is aligned with this objective.

He noted that although the outcomes of current preventive measures may not yet be evident, they will become clear soon and will be prominently reflected in the country’s history, with future generations acknowledging the efforts being made.

Highlighting ongoing initiatives to strengthen the healthcare system, Nazim asserted that awareness campaigns led through atoll-level facilities are operating at a scale never previously seen. He said that health centers and hospitals of all sizes across the atolls are collaborating with various community institutions to promote awareness despite facing resource limitations.

Nazim stressed that influencing public behavior requires not only delivering accurate information but also equipping citizens with the knowledge needed to act on it. He said efforts are underway to cultivate motivation and a mindset geared toward disease prevention.

However, while the minister emphasizes awareness efforts, the national healthcare system continues to face significant deterioration.

The Aasandha health insurance scheme is functioning poorly, and widespread medication shortages persist across the country. Many health centers and atoll hospitals are no longer providing services that were previously available. Recently, multiple services at the HA. Dhidhdhoo Atoll Hospital were suspended, including surgical procedures, prompting public frustration and criticism.