The Maldives Medical Conference has commenced on 15 August, 2025, with a strong emphasis on enhancing healthcare services for the nation’s ageing population.

Attended by doctors from hospitals across the country and other healthcare professionals, this is the second such conference organised under the leadership of the Maldives Medical Association. The theme of this year’s event, Let’s Talk Aged Care, highlights the importance of addressing the healthcare needs of older citizens, an issue of growing concern both in the Maldives and globally.

Opening the two-day event, Maldives Medical Association President Dr Ahmed Rasheed noted that by 2030, around seven per cent of the population is projected to be over 75 years of age, rising to 10 per cent by 2040. He emphasised the need for the country to prepare for such demographic changes by enabling the elderly to remain physically, mentally, and socially active.

He also underscored the importance of early intervention to prevent or delay disability, as well as the role of regular health screenings for senior citizens. Preventive measures, he said, could significantly improve the quality of life for older people and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.

The conference aims to provide a platform for discussion and the development of strategies to strengthen elderly care services nationwide, ensuring the Maldives is prepared to meet the needs of its ageing population.