Maldives and Thailand Sign Health MoU to Strengthen Cooperation in Primary Care and Regulation

New Delhi: The Ministry of Health of the Republic of the Maldives and the Ministry of Public Health of the Kingdom of Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to enhance cooperation in the health sector.

The agreement outlines joint efforts in several areas, including strengthening primary health care services in the Maldives and building the regulatory capacity of the Maldives Food and Drug Authority.

Both countries will work together on initiatives related to training institutions for health professionals, human resource development, health policy and systems research, health information systems and technology, and sustainable financing for health promotion.

“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 the event held on the sidelines of the Seventy-Eighth World Health Assembly, where the MoU was signed.

Describing the agreement as an important step in the ongoing engagement between the two countries, Maldives Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim said, “It reflects shared priorities of our countries in advancing universal health coverage and building resilient health systems.” He acknowledged Thailand’s long-standing support and expertise in the field of public health.

Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Public Health, 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 added, “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.”

Saima Wazed highlighted the broader context of health challenges facing countries globally and how both Maldives and Thailand are addressing them. “While the world today is 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,” she said.

“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,” Wazed 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 added.