Maldives seeks WHO’s help for research into ‘alarming’ rise in noncommunicable diseases

The Maldives government has asked for support from the World Health Organization (WHO), to conduct research into a sharp increase in non-communicable diseases in the country, which Health Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel described on Thursday as “alarmingly high.”

In a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, Khaleel said the research will begin as soon as the government receives funding.

Khaleel said the cases of noncommunicable cases were “alarmingly high”, accounting for 84 percent of fatalities in the Maldives. Out of this, 17 percent die from cancer.

Noting that cancer treatment is costly, Khaleel said that the government is working to provide more coverage for the treatment through the state health insurance service provider Aasandha and the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).

“We will continue to work on our side to alleviate such difficulties facing patients,” he said.

At present, chemotherapy is available only in the country’s capital, Male’ City. Many cancer patients are therefore forced to seek treatment overseas.

The previous administration had announced plans to build a cancer hospital in Maldives.

When asked about the project, Khaleel said the government will run a feasibility test on the project and “reach funding” within the coming one-and-a-half months.

During a visit to Maldives in 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pledged to build a cancer hospital in the country. A team from India later visited to conduct surveys. However, practical works were never initiated.

The previous Maldivian administration had planned to build the hospital in L. Gan. However, the new administration, which took office in November last year, said the hospital will be built in Male’ City, on the parking area of Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), and the vacant land to the east.

Maldives also registers a high number of cases of noncommunicable diseases other than cancer, including diabetes. 14 percent of the Maldivian population suffers from diabetes.