Maldives secures Islamic Development Bank funding for health reforms
Islamic Development Bank backs Maldives health reforms with new funding announced at universal health forum focused on resilience and care access
MALÉ, Maldives (MNTV) — The Maldives has secured new international financing to expand and modernise its public health system, with the Islamic Development Bank approving a grant worth $400,000 to support stronger primary healthcare and referral services across the island nation.
The funding was announced over the weekend during the country’s first Universal Health Coverage forum, held in mid-December under the World Health Organization’s Health Impact Investment Platform. The gathering marked a significant milestone for the Maldives as it seeks to reinforce health service delivery amid rising healthcare costs, climate-related risks, and increasing demand for specialized care.
According to the Ministry of Health, the grant will be directed toward improving frontline health services, strengthening referral links between community health centers and regional hospitals, and addressing gaps in workforce capacity. Officials said these measures are essential for ensuring continuity of care across the country’s widely dispersed islands.
The support will also be used to upgrade health information systems, an area viewed as critical for improving patient tracking, data integration, and service efficiency in a geographically fragmented healthcare system.
Climate-related pressures featured prominently in forum discussions, reflecting the Maldives’ acute exposure to extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and associated public health risks. Health authorities emphasized that resilient healthcare systems are necessary not only for routine medical services but also for responding to climate-driven emergencies that increasingly strain limited infrastructure.
More than 100 participants attended the two-day forum, including government representatives from several Asian countries, alongside officials from United Nations agencies. Development partners, global health financiers, private healthcare providers, researchers, and civil society organizations also took part in discussions on sustainable financing models and system-wide health reforms.
The forum focused on mobilizing investment and strengthening coordination to advance universal health coverage. For the Maldives, officials said the new grant is expected to complement ongoing reforms and signal growing international confidence in efforts to build a more equitable, accessible, and climate-resilient healthcare system.
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