First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has described antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a silent threat to health, food systems and economies, calling for urgent and responsible action to protect public health and preserve the effectiveness of essential medicines.

In a message posted on X on the occasion of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2025, she reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the One Health approach and underscored the importance of using antibiotics wisely, emphasising the need for coordinated efforts across communities and sectors.

The First Lady’s remarks come as the Maldives moves forward with its National Action Plan on AMR 2024–2029, a strategy developed by the Ministry of Health to strengthen surveillance, improve prescribing practices and coordinate efforts across human, animal and environmental health. The plan prioritises public awareness, infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship and stronger laboratory systems to support early detection of resistant pathogens.

The Ministry of Health has noted that antimicrobial resistance remains an increasing concern in the Maldives, driven partly by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in clinical settings and agriculture. To address this, the National Action Plan aims to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use by improving regulations, expanding healthcare worker training and monitoring antimicrobial consumption in hospitals and veterinary services, while also emphasising community education to discourage unnecessary self-medication.

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, observed globally from 18 to 24 November, aims to raise awareness of drug resistance and promote best practices among governments, health professionals and the public.