Bangladesh High Commissioner to the Maldives Md Nazmul Islam has participated in a high-level panel discussion on “From Infectious Diseases to NCDs – Reimagining Public Health in the Maldives,” held as part of the events marking 60 years of the Maldives’ membership in the United Nations and the 80th anniversary of the UN.
The discussion, jointly organised by the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the World Health Organization (WHO) Maldives, and Villa College, brought together senior policymakers, health experts, and development partners to examine the country’s evolving health landscape, particularly the shift from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
During the session, High Commissioner Nazmul Islam underscored the importance of safeguarding the health and well-being of Bangladeshi expatriate workers in the Maldives.
He called for stronger migration, health governance and inclusive policy interventions addressing NCDs among migrant communities. Nazmul said Bangladeshi workers, who play a vital role in the Maldivian economy, deserve equal access to preventive and primary healthcare services.
The envoy commended the Maldives government and the UN country team for adopting inclusive health policies and fostering collaboration that benefits both local and expatriate populations. He also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s readiness to work closely with the Maldives and UN agencies to advance equitable and accessible healthcare for all.
The event concluded with a collective commitment from participants to strengthen preventive healthcare, promote policy dialogue, and enhance public health resilience across the Maldives.
