The Maldives has entered into a collaborative agreement with Cyprus to enhance efforts in the prevention and control of thalassemia, marking a significant step forward in the country’s healthcare advancement.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organisation (WHO), currently taking place in Geneva. Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim signed the agreement on behalf of the Maldivian government, while Minister Michael Damianos represented Cyprus.
The agreement focuses on sharing expertise and technical knowledge in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of thalassemia. It also aims to enhance the capabilities of the Maldivian Blood Services and the National Blood Bank of the Maldives.
As part of the cooperation, Cypriot experts will travel to the Maldives to provide recommendations, deliver training, and support capacity building. The partnership will include exposure visits and teleconferencing between healthcare professionals in both countries.
Ministry of Health has signed an MoU with Cyprus’s Ministry of Health to strengthen collaboration between 2 governments in terms of strengthening Thalassemia prevention and control. The signing took place during the @WHA78@ANazim2019 @MichaelDamianos pic.twitter.com/tWtEcH4qF2
— Ministry of Health (@MoHmv) May 21, 2025
Following the signing ceremony, Minister Nazim highlighted that approximately 18 percent of the Maldivian population receives treatment for thalassemia. He stressed the importance of the partnership, noting Cyprus’s internationally acclaimed thalassemia control programme as a valuable model for the Maldives to learn from.
Minister Nazim further emphasized that the MoU will strengthen collaboration in key areas such as blood transfusion services and the sharing of clinical and technical expertise.
Cyprus, which has one of the highest thalassemia carrier rates globally—estimated at around 15 percent of its population—has made remarkable progress in controlling the disease through its National Thalassaemia Programme. Launched in 1972, the programme focuses on carrier screening, prenatal diagnosis, and genetic counselling, making it a global benchmark in disease control.
This agreement aligns with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s ongoing commitment to improve healthcare services for thalassemia patients in the Maldives. Over the past year, his administration has introduced multiple initiatives to support patients and their families, addressing long-standing challenges and enhancing treatment accessibility.
The MoU is expected to significantly boost the Maldives’ capacity to tackle thalassemia and marks a milestone in its efforts to adopt global best practices in public health.