First Lady Sajidha Mohamed attended a special debate held on Tuesday evening to mark International Nurses Day 2026, where participants examined whether the nursing profession in the Maldives provides adequate opportunities for career advancement.

The event was organised jointly by Community Nurse Volunteers and the Maldives Oncology Nurse Association, and took place at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Maldives National University.

Upon arrival, the First Lady was welcomed by Community Nurse Volunteers President Mariyam Niyan and Maldives Oncology Nurse Association President Aminath Zeeniya.

The debate centred on the motion: The nursing field in the Maldives offers sufficient opportunities for advancement. Team A argued in support of the motion, while Team B opposed it.

The discussion explored the current state of professional development within nursing, highlighting both the progress made and the challenges that remain in expanding career pathways for nurses across the country. The session brought together healthcare practitioners, academics and a large audience of nursing professionals.

International Nurses Day is observed annually on 12 May to recognise the vital contribution of nurses to healthcare systems worldwide.