The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has provided a grant of USD 400,000 to the Maldives to support the further development of health services.

The grant was announced during the country’s first Universal Health Coverage (UHC) forum, held as part of the World Health Organization’s Health Impact Investment Platform programme. The forum is taking place at Kurumba Maldives from 13 to 14 December.

According to the Ministry of Health, the funding will be used to strengthen primary healthcare services and improve referral systems between health centres and regional hospitals. The assistance will also support human resource development, strengthen health information systems and help address climate change-related challenges affecting the health sector.

The UHC forum brought together more than 100 participants, including representatives from Government institutions in the Maldives, India, Bhutan, Indonesia and the Philippines. Officials from United Nations agencies such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, UNDP, FAO and IOM also attended.

Development partners including the World Bank, Global Fund, Gavi, Islamic Development Bank, European Investment Bank and the Gates Foundation were represented at the forum, alongside local health professionals, private sector providers, researchers and civil society organisations.

The forum focused on strengthening health systems and mobilising investment to advance universal health coverage across participating countries.