Maldives reaches 2030 target on premature deaths four years early
Maldives becomes first country in WHO’s South-East Asia region to meet key 2030 target on premature deaths from major chronic diseases
MALÉ, Maldives (MNTV) — The Maldives has become the first country in the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia region to achieve a key 2030 global health target for reducing premature deaths from major chronic diseases, reaching the milestone four years ahead of schedule.
The achievement covers premature deaths from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory illnesses — collectively among the major noncommunicable diseases that countries committed to tackling under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The WHO recognized the Maldives for reaching the target during the 79th session of its Regional Committee for South-East Asia in Timor-Leste, where Health, Family and Welfare Minister Geela Ali received an award from WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Reaching the target early is particularly significant for the Maldives, a geographically dispersed Indian Ocean nation whose population is spread across scores of inhabited islands, creating challenges in providing consistent access to health services outside the capital.
The WHO also recognized the country for maintaining the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus for a decade after the Maldives was formally validated as having eliminated the disease.
Maternal and neonatal tetanus is largely preventable through vaccination, hygienic childbirth practices and proper care of the umbilical cord.
Maternal infections can occur during pregnancy or following childbirth, while newborns can contract tetanus when contaminated or unsterilized instruments are used during delivery or to cut the umbilical cord.
Maintaining elimination is therefore dependent not simply on reaching a one-time target but on sustaining vaccination coverage and safe maternal and newborn health services.
The latest milestones add to a series of public health gains in the Maldives. The country has previously been recognized as the first in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B.
The WHO has also recognized the Maldives for measures aimed at reducing tobacco use, another major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, cancer and other chronic illnesses.
The latest recognition places the small island nation ahead of larger countries in its region on a major global health benchmark, while shifting the challenge toward preserving those gains and preventing chronic diseases as the Maldives moves beyond the targets it was expected to reach by 2030.
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