The Ministry of Health has announced plans to launch a comprehensive national health study early next year to evaluate the current health status of the Maldivian population.
The initiative, titled the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), will be conducted in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The agreement to carry out the study was formalised on Wednesday through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two institutions.
The MoU was signed by Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim on behalf of the Maldivian government and Dr Edward Addai, UNICEF’s Special Representative in the Maldives.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Nazim said the study will play a vital role in shaping future health policies and improving the country’s ability to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“This new study will be instrumental in identifying key areas for improvement and ensuring our health policies are informed by accurate, up-to-date data,” Minister Nazim said. “Reliable statistics are the foundation of sound policy decisions and long-term economic and social development.”
The MICS is an internationally recognised research programme developed by UNICEF to collect detailed information on population health, child development, reproductive health, and nutrition. The study is currently implemented in several countries as part of global efforts to improve health data and monitoring.
Minister Nazim noted that the last nationwide health assessment in the Maldives was conducted in 2017, and the absence of subsequent studies has made it challenging to accurately identify gaps and progress within the health sector.
The upcoming survey will cover all atolls and involve visits to approximately 6,000 households. The data collected will provide valuable insight into the overall health landscape, helping the government develop evidence-based strategies for improving healthcare services and population well-being.
“The MICS will allow us to better understand the nation’s health challenges and create long-term policies to address them,” Minister Nazim added.
Officials said preparations are underway to ensure the survey begins on schedule in early 2026, with both the Health Ministry and UNICEF emphasizing their shared commitment to strengthening data-driven healthcare planning across the Maldives.
