Shirna appointed as NSPA’s new CEO

Long-serving health executive, Aminath Shirna was appointed on Monday as the CEO of the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).

The appointment comes after former CEO Heena Waleed was appointed on April 14 as Heritage Minister.

Prior to her appointment as NSPA’s CEO, Shirna served as a state minister at the Health Ministry. She was initially put in charge of managing the Maldivian Blood Services (MBS) or the Thalassemia Center, but was relieved of the duties last year, following structural changes that saw the center removed from under the purview of the Health Ministry. The changes came after the MBS, and Shirna herself, faced criticism over shortage of medicine and disruptions in services to thalassemia patients.

Congratulations to Aminath Shirna on her appointment as CEO of NSPA. Wishing her continued success in this important role. pic.twitter.com/WCcDPbdLQs

— Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare (@MoHmv) May 4, 2026

She was later put in charge of managing the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Dhamanaveshi, and blood banks.

Shirna has two Master’s degrees in the field of health, and served for over 20 years as a nurse before joining the Health Ministry.

She is now in charge of running NSPA, the state agency responsible for providing medical assistance under the Aasandha scheme, and disbursing state allowances to persons with disabilities and single parents. The agency is also in charge of managing the fund for financial support for couples facing fertility issues to undergo IVF treatment.