Health Minister Stresses Neonatal Care is Critical to Lifelong Child Health

Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Geela Ali has declared that neonatal care extends far beyond initial life-saving measures, describing the early post-natal period as a vital phase directly influencing a child’s health throughout their entire life.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the second annual NeoCare Conference, Minister Geela highlighted the crucial link between specialized newborn care and long-term health outcomes. She addressed the unique geographic composition of the Maldives, noting that while the dispersed island structure creates substantial obstacles for standard healthcare delivery, national conferences play a key role in connecting medical facilities, providing clinical guidance, and upskilling healthcare workers nationwide.

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Although atoll and regional hospitals have not yet fully established complete neonatal services, Minister Geela explained that specialists and experienced clinicians at tertiary hospitals are actively collaborating to supply the necessary expertise and clinical support. She highlighted that this inter-hospital cooperation ensures that local medical teams remain well-prepared to act swiftly during emergency situations, maintaining high service standards across the nation.

The Minister stressed that modernising neonatal care demands long-term strategic planning and continuous human resource development. She noted that health professionals cannot rely on single training sessions; instead, they require ongoing professional development, structured clinical mentorship, and a clear understanding of evolving medical equipment and service delivery methods.

Furthermore, Minister Geela reminded medical practitioners that their duties do not conclude when a newborn leaves the hospital, urging healthcare teams to deliver thorough post-discharge follow-up care and clear parental guidance.

First Lady Sajidha Mohamed officially opened the three-day conference, which focuses on enhancing care for infants in vulnerable medical conditions. Organised by Hulhumalé Hospital, the event brings together medical personnel—including doctors and nurses working within Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs)—from 19 hospitals across the country.

During the ceremony, the First Lady also launched the inaugural edition of the NeoCare and NICU News Bulletin, establishing an official channel for sharing clinical updates across the healthcare sector.

Highlighting the scope of the initiative, Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, Chief Executive Officer of the Malé City Group of Hospitals, stated that ensuring newborn safety requires a holistic, hospital-wide effort rather than relying solely on NICU departments. He noted that the annual gathering, which began last year as a focused meeting for neonatal nurses, has now matured into a comprehensive, multidisciplinary platform for health professionals.

World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to the Maldives, Payden, also addressed the gathering, praising the nation for its substantial progress in healthcare development. Payden commended the Maldives for its significant achievements in maternal and child health at both regional and international levels.