Gov’t Launches National Migrant Health Policy to Ensure Inclusive Healthcare
National Migrant Health Policy Officially Launched to Promote Equitable Healthcare Access | Photo: Ministry of Health
The government has officially launched the National Migrant Health Policy to work towards providing equitable and inclusive healthcare for all residents, including foreign nationals.
Our foreign workforce are not just workers, they are our caregivers, our neighbors, our friends. Their safety and dignity are not optional. Ensuring equitable healthcare for all is not just a goal, it’s our responsibility. #MigrantHealth@HPA_MV @IOMSLandMV pic.twitter.com/BwSrm38PsU
— Ministry of Health (@MoHmv) June 30, 2025advertisement
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The policy, unveiled by the Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim during a special ceremony in Male’ on Monday, aims to safeguard and promote the right to basic healthcare for migrants living in the Maldives. It seeks to ensure that foreign nationals have equitable access to essential health services.
Minister @ANazim2019 launched the National Migrant Health Policy, reaffirming the Maldives’ commitment to equitable, inclusive healthcare for all.
With the support of @IOMAsiaPacific, this policy marks a key step in protecting the health & dignity of our migrant communities. pic.twitter.com/YveVFhamb7— Ministry of Health (@MoHmv) June 30, 2025
During the ceremony, the Director General of the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Maimoona Aboobakr, highlighted that the initiative reflects the government’s efforts to eliminate discrimination, improve the quality of health services, and protect the well-being of everyone in the country. She explained that the policy was developed based on research, consultations with international partners, and national health priorities, and that its successful implementation would require cooperation across all relevant sectors.
Maimoona noted that collaboration among health authorities, labour management, immigration, and other agencies will be crucial. She also emphasised the need to strengthen the health system, build capacity, and enable healthcare providers to deliver culturally appropriate services.
The Regional Director for Asia of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Kato Lori, addressed the gathering, stating that the policy demonstrates the government’s determination to strengthen the healthcare system and protect the health and dignity of all people, irrespective of their migration status.
The National Migrant Health Policy focuses on five main areas: shifting perceptions across government and society, providing quality health services to foreigners, collecting and using reliable data, reducing vulnerabilities, and establishing effective systems.
According to the Ministry of Health, the policy will ensure that migrants’ rights to basic healthcare are fully protected, supporting equitable and inclusive health services for everyone in the Maldives.
