First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has called for strengthened technical partnerships to address healthcare challenges in the Maldives.

She made these remarks while delivering the keynote address at the inaugural session of the 7th Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit (MFFLI), held in Dubai, where she attended as Guest of Honour.

In her address, the First Lady underscored the urgent need to build capacity in specialised medical fields such as fertility and embryology—areas currently facing a shortage of trained professionals in the Maldives. She thanked the Merck Foundation for awarding scholarships in these fields to local doctors, noting the long-term value of such investments in the country’s healthcare sector.

Her remarks highlighted ongoing national efforts to improve access to affordable, quality healthcare across the islands. She emphasised the importance of sustained cooperation to enhance services and outcomes in areas such as cancer screening, mental health, and women's leadership in healthcare.

During the summit, the First Lady also shared several awareness initiatives launched in partnership with the Merck Foundation. These include campaigns addressing infertility stigma, gender-based violence, and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

She further spoke about the Maldives' Gender Equality Action Plan, which outlines measures to support women entrepreneurs, improve access to justice for women, and prevent violence against women. The plan is part of the Government’s broader commitment to institutionalising gender equality in public policy.

The First Lady expressed appreciation for being named an Ambassador of the Foundation’s “More Than A Mother” campaign, which advocates for women’s health and addresses the stigma surrounding infertility. She also congratulated the Merck Foundation on its 8th anniversary and 13 years of work in social development.

The Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit brings together First Ladies from Africa and Asia, along with health experts and development stakeholders, to discuss strategies for advancing health equity and social empowerment.