The Maldives is set to host the 15th International Congress of Anaesthesiologists of SAARC Countries (SAARC-AA Congress 2026) for the first time, bringing together more than 200 delegates from across South Asia and beyond for a regional forum focused on advancing anaesthesia, critical care and pain medicine.
The biennial congress will be held in AA. Ukulhas and is being organised by the Maldives Anaesthesiologists Association (MAA) under the SAARC Association of Anaesthesiologists (SAARC-AA). The event is also endorsed by the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA).
The congress will convene anaesthesiologists, critical care specialists and pain physicians to discuss the latest developments in patient care, clinical practice and medical research under the theme, “Shared Regional Knowledge for a Unified Impact.”
Speaking about the event, Director General of Health Services Dr. Ahmed Ashraf said the main scientific sessions will take place over two days in Ukulhas. In addition to the conference programme, internationally recognised specialists attending the congress will conduct hands-on training workshops for Maldivian healthcare professionals.
More than 120 local doctors have already registered for the workshops, which will be held simultaneously across four healthcare facilities in the Greater Malé Region.
The training sessions will focus on key areas of anaesthesiology and critical care, including critical care medicine at Hulhumalé Hospital, chronic pain management at Tree Top Hospital, airway management at ADK Hospital, and regional anaesthesia at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).
Dr. Ashraf said hosting the congress represents an important opportunity to strengthen specialist expertise in the Maldives, particularly in anaesthesiology, where the country continues to have a relatively small workforce.
He noted that the Maldives had only a single practising anaesthesiologist during the 1980s, but that number has now increased to 11 specialists, reflecting the gradual growth of the profession over the past several decades.
According to Dr. Ashraf, expanding specialist medical expertise is essential not only for improving healthcare services for patients but also for supporting the country’s ambitions to develop its healthcare sector further.
He added that strengthening specialist services could also contribute to the growth of medical tourism, creating new opportunities for both the health sector and the wider economy.
The SAARC-AA Congress is regarded as one of the region’s leading scientific gatherings in anaesthesiology, providing a platform for medical professionals to exchange research, share best practices and strengthen collaboration among South Asian countries. Hosting the event marks a significant milestone for the Maldives’ medical community and reflects the country’s growing role in regional healthcare cooperation.
