The Maldives has been appointed to represent South-East Asia on the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, giving the country a greater role in shaping international health policy, the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare has announced.

In a post shared on “X”, the ministry described the appointment as a significant achievement for the Maldives, saying it would strengthen the country's contribution to global health policymaking.

The ministry said the Maldives is representing the South-East Asia region at the 55th Board Meeting of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, currently being held in Geneva. It added that the role reflects the country's commitment to promoting health equity across the region, building resilient and sustainable health systems, and strengthening efforts to combat HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.

The ministry also highlighted the Maldives' achievements in public health, noting that it became the first country in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B. The World Health Organization officially recognised the achievement in October last year.

The ministry noted that the Maldives continues to achieve significant milestones in the health sector at the international level.

The 55th Board Meeting of the Global Fund was held in Geneva from 9 to 10 July. The 56th Board Meeting is scheduled to take place in October.