A senior delegation from the Maldives Ministry of Health has completed an official visit to Islamabad, aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation with Pakistan in the fields of specialised healthcare services, clinical training, and public health capacity-building.
As part of the visit, the Maldivian officials held in-depth discussions with the leadership of Pakistan’s National Institute of Health (NIH). Talks focused on expanding technical collaboration to enhance the Maldives’ public health infrastructure. Key areas of potential cooperation included field epidemiology training, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) monitoring, infection prevention and control (IPC), and the strengthening of national disease surveillance systems.
Both parties also discussed opportunities to establish long-term institutional linkages, support joint training initiatives, and provide technical assistance to bolster health system resilience in the Maldives.
In addition to engagements with civilian institutions, the delegation visited Pakistan’s prominent military medical centres, including the Armed Forces Institute of Urology (AFIU) and the Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Centre (AFBMTC). These visits provided insights into Pakistan’s advanced clinical care models and medical training systems. The Maldivian team explored avenues for collaboration in specialised treatment services and knowledge exchange on institutional best practices.
The visit also included high-level meetings with Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority, where discussions centred on enhancing pharmaceutical regulatory frameworks, ensuring medication safety, and aligning drug approval processes with international standards.
Further discussions took place with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Pakistan, focusing on upgrading training programmes for nurses and midwives, particularly in specialised nursing disciplines, a key priority area for Maldives as it works to expand its skilled healthcare workforce.
Officials described the visit as a timely and strategic step toward strengthening health sector ties between the two countries. It is expected to pave the way for joint programmes and formal cooperation agreements that will contribute to knowledge sharing, technical innovation, and capacity development within the Maldivian healthcare system.
The Maldives and Pakistan have a history of collaboration in education, trade, and health. This latest initiative signals a renewed commitment to deepen cooperation in areas that have a direct impact on public wellbeing and sustainable development.
