Health Minister Warns of Increasing Cancer Cases in Maldives with Causes Yet Unknown

Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has stated that cancer rates in the Maldives are at a concerning level, although the cause of the increase has not yet been identified.

A press conference held yesterday addressed the rising prevalence of cancer and the ongoing efforts to understand its causes. Minister Nazim highlighted that a significant number of people in the country are affected by cancer, even though a comprehensive study to determine exact figures has not been conducted.

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The minister noted that cancer can have multiple causes, including genetic factors and lifestyle choices, and emphasised that the lack of research makes it difficult to pinpoint the precise reasons behind the surge in cases.

The government’s policy focuses on promoting early diagnosis, and systems are being developed to enable testing across the islands. Efforts are also underway to expand chemotherapy services throughout the atolls.

According to Minister Nazim, the most common type of cancer in the Maldives is linked to smoking. The government has taken steps to address tobacco use, including the expansion of cessation clinics across the country and the provision of nicotine gum patches through the national health insurance scheme, Aasandha.

In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted research in the Maldives to investigate the rise in cancer rates, although it is unclear whether the findings have been published.

Data from the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) indicate that more than 4,800 patients have sought treatment for breast cancer alone over the past four years, highlighting the significant impact of cancer on public health in the country.