The Ministry of Health has announced that a nationwide study assessing the health situation of the Maldives will commence early next year, under a partnership with UNICEF.

The initiative, a Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), aims to collect comprehensive data on public health indicators to guide long-term national health policies and inform progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the study was signed between Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim and UNICEF Representative Dr Edward Addai. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Nazim highlighted that updated and accurate health statistics are vital for effective policy planning and sustainable development. He noted that the last national health survey was conducted in 2017, and the absence of recent data has made it challenging to address emerging needs in the health sector.

The upcoming survey will cover all Maldivian atolls and visit 6,000 households, gathering information on child and maternal health, nutrition, growth, and dietary habits. Minister Nazim said the research will not only evaluate the current health status of the population but also strengthen data-driven decision-making across the healthcare system.