First Lady Calls for Resilient, People-Centred Healthcare Systems at IJCHP 2026

First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has said that good health is the foundation upon which education flourishes, communities prosper and economies thrive, as she officially opened the Third International Joint Conference for Healthcare Professionals 2026 (IJCHP 2026) today.

The conference is being held from 7 to 9 July at CROSSROADS Maldives under the theme, “Evidence, Empowerment and Education: Leading the Future of Healthcare for Sustainable Impact.”

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Delivering the inaugural address, the First Lady welcomed healthcare professionals, researchers, educators and international delegates, saying their participation reflected a shared commitment to advancing healthcare through knowledge, collaboration and innovation.

First Lady @sajidhaamohamed inaugurates the International Joint Conference for Healthcare Professionals 2026 (IJCHP 2026), held at the CROSSROADS.

The conference brings together diverse networks of healthcare professionals from the Asia-Pacific region and centres on the theme… pic.twitter.com/7c4NftD6AN— The President's Office (@presidencymv) July 7, 2026

She said healthcare is ultimately about people, noting that behind every scientific breakthrough is a patient whose life has been changed. She added that while a nation’s strength is often measured by the size of its economy or technological advancement, its true measure lies in how well it cares for its people.

The First Lady also highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence, digital technologies, genomics, robotics and predictive analytics in transforming healthcare. However, she stressed that technology should support, rather than replace, human compassion.

Speaking about the Maldives as a Small Island Developing State, Sajidha said challenges such as climate change, emerging diseases, demographic changes and the country’s dispersed geography require innovative and evidence-based healthcare solutions. She said the government remains committed to strengthening the health sector through continued investment in people, infrastructure, digital transformation, specialised services and international partnerships.

“Academic findings, ideas, and important discussions can be shared during the meeting. For an island nation like the Maldives, health care isn’t a luxury—it’s a basic service that should be easy to access. You have to put in a lot of effort to build up infrastructure, staff, and modern services,” she said.

The First Lady also paid tribute to nurses, describing them as a constant presence throughout a patient’s journey and expressing appreciation for their dedication and compassion. She further recognised the contributions of women in healthcare, saying stronger female leadership helps create more inclusive and responsive health systems.

Concluding her address, Sajidha expressed hope that the conference would strengthen partnerships, inspire new ideas and renew participants’ sense of purpose before officially declaring IJCHP 2026 open.

During the opening ceremony, IJCHP 2026 Co-Chair and Associate Professor Fathimath Shifaza presented the First Lady with a commemorative memento on behalf of the organisers.