The Maldives National Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum opened on Saturday at Kurumba Maldives, marking the country’s first dedicated platform for high-level dialogue on health equity and system resilience.

The two-day forum is jointly organised by the Ministry of Health, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the World Health Organization (WHO). It aims to strengthen national commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which focus on ensuring universal access to quality health services without financial hardship.

According to the Health Ministry, UHC is about guaranteeing that all individuals can access essential health services regardless of location, income, or social status.

More than 100 participants are attending the forum, including representatives from government agencies in the Maldives, India, Bhutan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, as well as UN agencies such as WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, FAO, and IOM. Development partners including the World Bank, Global Fund, Gavi, Islamic Development Bank, European Investment Bank, and the Gates Foundation are also taking part, alongside local health professionals, private sector providers, researchers, and civil society groups.

The Ministry noted that the Maldives has achieved a health service coverage index of around 70 per cent, reflecting strong progress in maternal and child health, life expectancy, and primary care. However, challenges remain, particularly the high burden of non-communicable diseases, which account for 84 per cent of total disease burden, as well as health financing pressures, workforce shortages, climate-related risks, and gaps in digital health systems.

During the forum, the Ministry unveiled a draft UHC Roadmap for 2026–2030, aligned with the Government’s digital health transformation agenda. The forum is expected to produce a UHC policy brief, a partnership and resource map, and strategic inputs to guide national UHC priorities for 2025–2030.

The programme includes expert panels, interactive discussions, and bilateral meetings focused on climate-resilient healthcare, sustainable financing, and digital health solutions.