hajam.ai
21 September 2026

Health

Targeted at improving infant care and health, the "NeoCare 2026" symposium, organized jointly by Hulhumalé Hospital, the Ministry of Health, WHO, and STO Healthcare with 50 participants from 19 health centres, commenced at Meeruma from 21 to 23 September 2026, and was officially inaugurated by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed. Meanwhile, a 16-year-old Maldivian girl who was injured after falling from the third floor of Amaan Udhares Tower 2 in Hulhumalé Phase 2 was transferred to IGMH after receiving treatment at Hulhumalé Hospital, and police have urged the public not to circulate videos of the incident.

Aiming to raise the standard of healthcare provided to newborn infants and strengthen the sector in the Maldives, the "NeoCare 2026 - The Maldives Conference on Neonatal Care Excellence" conference officially commenced at Meerumaa on Monday, September 21, 2026. Speaking as the guest of honor at the conference, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed noted that a child born on any island in the Maldives should receive an equal standard of care, calling for increased investment in training healthcare professionals with modern resources. Organized jointly by Hulhumalé Hospital, Malé City Group of Hospitals, and the Ministry of Health from September 21 to 23, 50 healthcare professionals from 19 health centers and hospitals across the Maldives are participating in this conference.

The family of the 16-year-old girl who sustained serious injuries after falling from the third floor of the Amaan Udhares tower in Hulhumale' has appealed for public financial assistance to provide her with further medical treatment. In the incident, which occurred on the day she was scheduled to return to her island after seeing a doctor, the girl, who was preparing for her O-Level examinations, suffered broken leg bones and major injuries to various organs of her body. After receiving treatment at IGMH, she has now been taken to India for further treatment following doctors' advice to undergo major surgeries abroad. Therefore, as medical treatment incurs a high cost, the girl's family has appealed to the public to provide generous assistance.

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Also in this edition

Politics

An issue came to light regarding the GDh. Gadhdhoo Council unlawfully issuing more than 1,600 licences without tests, leading to the suspension of the land and sea vessel licensing services provided by the council on 21 September 2026 and the commencement of an investigation in collaboration with relevant authorities. Former President Abdulla Yameen and former Vice President Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed have directed strong political criticisms at the policies of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's government. The Criminal Court has ruled that the case regarding a 2,000 Rufiyaa scam carried out through the Instagram account 'Madadhaa' was not proven, as the prosecution failed to prove a connection between the accused and the account. The Civil Court has determined the transaction to be valid following Malé City Mayor Adam Azim gifting his share from the 871.25-square-foot plot of land at H. Maadhoofiyaa, which was in his ownership, to his wife, Aishath Nasheeda.

Economy

Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib signed the commercial terms agreement for the approximately $20 billion "Maldives Waterfront and Marina" project being developed in Ras Male' with Abu Dhabi's Eagle Hills company on 21 September 2026. Russian tour operator Tez Tour has launched new tourism packages specially for the Maldives. Under the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement, arrangements have been made to exempt duty and import 296 varieties of fish exported from the Maldives to China at zero percent tariff. Former President Mohamed Nasheed, on 21 September 2026, called on audit firms to publicly disclose the true financial figures of the Bank of Maldives, alleging that foreign exchange shortages have worsened and customer deposits are being used to service debt.

Education

Villa College has been designated as an official centre providing fully funded undergraduate fellowships under the King's Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP), and the opportunity to apply for five degree programmes at the college was opened on 21 September 2026 in collaboration with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). Villa College's Vice Rector, Associate Professor Dr. Ali Najeeb, stated that the deadline to apply for these opportunities, under which studies are scheduled to commence in 2027, is 14 October 2026.