Geneva | 20 May 2025: The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Maldives, and the Ministry of Public Health of the Kingdom of Thailand today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen, promote and develop cooperation and Collaboration in health.
The two countries agreed to strengthen primary health care in Maldives and the regulatory capacity of Maldives Food and Drug Authority. They agreed to collaborate for training institutions for health professionals and human resource development for health; health policy and health system research. Health information and information technology; and innovative sustainable financing for health promotion among others.
“Maldives and Thailand are showing the world that cooperation, partnership, friendship and solidarity is the way forward,” said Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, at an event held on the sidelines of the ongoing Seventy-Eighth World Health Assembly, for signing of the MoU by the two countries.
Terming the MoU as an important milestone in the ongoing partnerships between the two countries, the Minister of Health, Maldives, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, said it reflects shared priorities of our countries in advancing universal health coverage and building resilient health systems. The Minister appreciated Thailand’s longstanding support and expertise in public health.
The Deputy Minister of Public Health, Thailand, Mr. Dej-is Khaothong, said the MoU is a concrete outcome of the ongoing dialogue between the two countries, initiated during the previous year’s World Health Assembly. He emphasized that the agreement would pave the way for collaboration in key areas such as primary health care, regulatory systems, academic exchange, health policy research, and financing.
Commending the collaboration, WHO Wazed said, while the world today faced with new health challenges, climatic, demographic, and epidemiological. Alongside rising health care costs, increasing population demand, and technological transformation, both Thailand and Maldives are responding through innovation, prioritizing inclusion and quality.
“As we stand on the cusp of the coming AI age, the commitment of both Thailand and Maldives to technology and data is commendable …Your actions are the manifestation of our shared vision for our Region, as outlined in our Regional Roadmap for Results and Resilience”, she said
“You are showing the world the power of cooperation and unity – that we are better together than alone. Your cooperation will certainly benefit the people of both your countries and is an example to our region and the world,” the Regional Director said.
