WHO launches Country Cooperation Strategy for Maldives

World Health Organization (WHO), the chief directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations (UN) system, has launched their Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) for the Maldives.

Detailing the strategic priorities and the main focus areas that guides WHO collaboration in the Maldives, the Country Cooperation Strategy 2013 - 2017 was launched at an event held in Trader’s Hotel last night by the visiting Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang.

The four main focus areas of the new CCS include; strengthening the health system towards universal coverage based on the primary health care approach, Preventing and controlling diseases and disabilities, enhancing public health interventions at national and sub-national levels to sustain achievements in health-related UN millennium development goals and beyond, and promote partnerships and WHO country presence in support of effective health reforms.

The organization states that 2013-2017 CCS is based on the analysis of the country’s overall socio-economic, demographic, health status and service performance indicators, current national development priorities and aligns with partners’ collaborative efforts in health.

Speaking at last night’s event, the WHO Country Representative to the Maldives Dr. Akjemal Magtymova said that the current CCS has been specially tailored to address the needs of the Maldives, and that they will focus on the changes that will take place in the Maldives in consideration of its small and dispersed island geographical structure, as well as the effects of climate change on the Maldives.

Speaking to Sun Online after last night’s event, Health Minister Dr. Ahmed Jamsheed said that the WHO strategies for all counties are based on a principal Country Cooperation Strategy.

“A two year work plan will put together next. The work plan will detail the activities that will be carried out, and the budget. It will be based on the strategy that was launched tonight,” Minister Jamsheed said.