Two ministries discuss conducting research to identify cause of increased cancer cases in Goidhoo

Agriculture Minister Dr. Mariyam Mariya, on Tuesday, revealed that Agriculture Ministry and Health Ministry are discussing conducting a research to identify the cause behind increased cancer cases in B. Goidhoo, an island with a mere population of some 500 people.

Over the past year, serious concerns have emerged regarding the rising incidence of cancer on several islands in the Maldives. In December, a resident of the agricultural island of Goidhoo formally called for an investigation into a possible link between increasing cancer cases and the use of pesticides on the island’s farms.

In letters sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health, the resident reported that nine individuals in Goidhoo had been diagnosed with cancer within the past five years, three of whom have died. The letters further alleged that fruits and vegetables cultivated on local farms may contain unsafe levels of pesticides, potentially posing a significant threat to public health.

Speaking with the press on Tuesday, Mariya noted that although relevant legislation exists, a comprehensive regulatory policy had not previously been established. She confirmed that the current administration began drafting a pesticide regulation policy last year.

“God willing, we anticipate that this policy will be implemented very soon,” she added.

Despite the high prevalence of cancer in the Maldives, Health Minister Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim stated last January that the specific causes of cancer among Maldivians remain unclear, citing a historical lack of focused research into contributing factors.

Commenting on the situation in Goidhoo, Dr. Mohamed Amr Ahmed, the country’s first clinical oncologist, previously told Sun that the matter requires thorough clinical investigation. He emphasized that nine cancer cases within five years in a small community such as Goidhoo represent a notably high incidence rate.

Dr. Amr explained that farmers, agricultural workers, and residents living near farmland may face significant exposure to harmful pesticides if appropriate safety precautions are not observed.

However, he also underscored that cancer cannot be attributed solely to pesticide exposure. Genetic predisposition, infections, lifestyle factors, and environmental conditions all contribute significantly to the development of the disease.

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Note: This news was initially reported based on a statement by Agriculture Minister Dr. Mariyam Mariya, during a press conference on Tuesday, indicating that the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) is conducting research to determine the causes of rising cancer cases in Goidhoo. Following a subsequent request from the Ministry to clarify this information, the report has been amended accordingly.