Health
At the 79th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for South-East Asia held in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Jeela Ali received special awards on behalf of the Maldives from WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on 9 September 2026, honoring the Maldives as the only country to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target to reduce mortality from non-communicable diseases ahead of 2030, and for sustaining its maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination status for 10 years.
In recognition of the remarkable achievements being accomplished in the Maldivian health sector, the Maldives has received a special award from the World Health Organization (WHO). This prestigious award was conferred in recognition of the outcomes of the vital work being carried out within the healthcare system to safeguard public health in the Maldives and to control and eliminate diseases. This is considered a major accomplishment for the hard work carried out jointly by Maldivian healthcare professionals and relevant institutions. Furthermore, this international award will serve as an added inspiration to further strengthen the healthcare sector and expand services provided to the public in the future.