Dr Aminath Fazna, a pioneering figure in developmental paediatrics in the Maldives and the country's first doctor to specialise in autism diagnosis, has passed away at the age of 47.

A consultant paediatrician at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), it is reported that Dr Fazna had been receiving cancer treatment at IGMH prior to her death.

Dr Fazna rejoined IGMH in 2018 after completing her MBBS and paediatric specialist training. In 2021, she pursued advanced studies in developmental paediatrics at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia before undertaking specialist training at the University of California in the United States, qualifying as the first Maldivian doctor to specialise in autism diagnosis.

Returning to the Maldives in 2024, Dr Fazna established developmental paediatric services at IGMH, providing specialised assessment and care for children with developmental and behavioural conditions. Her expertise covered Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities such as Dyslexia and Dyscalculia, speech and motor delays, and special educational needs.

She was trained to carry out internationally recognised developmental assessments, including the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-4), Mullen Scales of Early Learning and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), regarded as the gold standard for diagnosing autism. Her work also focused on the early identification of developmental delays, enabling timely intervention and support for children and their families.

Dr Fazna's pioneering work marked a significant milestone in paediatric healthcare in the Maldives, expanding access to specialist developmental assessments and autism diagnosis while helping strengthen early intervention services nationwide.