About WHO in Maldives

About WHO in Maldives

World Health Organization in Maldives

The World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization (WHO) was established on 7 April 1948 as the directing and coordinating authority in global public health within the United Nations system. Working at three levels in the Organization (global, regional and country), more than 7000 WHO staff worldwide collaborate with the governments of 194 Member States and other partners to achieve the WHO founding vision of the attainment of the highest possible level of health by all people.

 

The South East Asia Region 

The South-East Asia Region of the World Health Organization, established in 1948, was the first of its six regions. For over five decades, the collaborative efforts of WHO have focused on improving the health of the people in the Region. Home to a quarter of the world population, WHO SEARO provides leadership on health matters, articulates evidence-based policy options, provides technical support to countries and monitors health trends.

 

WHO in Maldives 

The WHO Office Maldives, located in the capital city Male’, operates under the umbrella of the South East Asia Regional Office. The main thrust of the WHO’s work in the Maldives is to support the government in its health reform processes and strengthening its health systems. We also work together with a broad spectrum of partners from all sectors of society and are involved in a host of closely related public health activities; including surveillance, building capacity, strengthening research, health promotion and raising awareness. 
 

 

 

WHO’s History in the Maldives

 

Since the 1950s, WHO has been collaborating with the Government of Maldives and has been the first United Nations (UN) Agency to partner with the country. Initially, WHO’s support lay in areas of urgent need such as communicable disease control, when we visited the country as part of a blood-sampling mission for Filarial parasites. This partnership with the Government grew closer in 1965, when a WHO Country Office officially opened in Malé, the country’s capital. It continued to advance as Maldives’ development trajectory took flight, and as the Ministry of Health forged dramatic public health gains.

Sharing a long history of working together to promote and protect health and prevent the people from disease and disability, the partnership between WHO and the Ministry of Health has led to a number of historic achievements in public and international health.

With WHO's support and partnership; Maldives continues to be a leader, both regionally and globally. In 2015 Maldives became the first country globally to be certified malaria-free in the SDG era. In 2016 it became one of two countries in the WHO South East Asia Region to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis as a public health problem. In 2017, Maldives was certified to have eliminated Measles three years ahead of the Region’s 2020 target. Last but not least, in 2019 Maldives also received certification for elimination of transmission of Mother to Child HIV and Syphilis. 

The story continues, with Maldives demonstrating ongoing partnership with WHO, as well as leadership in health and implementing a series of innovative measures aimed for a happier, healthier and secure future for the people of this island nation.

 

 

Contact WHO

Office of the WHO Representative in Maldives

Office of the WHO Representative to the Republic of Maldives 
Roashanee Building, 6th Floor
P.O. Box 2004
Male’ 20184, Republic of Maldives
Telephone: +(960) 332 7519 
Fax: +(960) 332 4210
E-mail: [email protected]

Ministry of Health

Address:
Roashanee Building, Male', Maldives

Telephone number:
+(960) 332 8887

Fax number:
+(960) 332 8889

Website:
http://www.health.gov.mv

 

 

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