First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed underscored the importance of global partnerships in advancing healthcare, women’s empowerment, and education while recognizing significant progress the Maldives has achieved in healthcare equity.
Her remarks were made during her keynote address as the Guest of Honour at the High-Level First Ladies Panel, part of the 11th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary Annual Conference.
Commending the Merck Foundation’s impactful ‘More than a Mother’ campaign, the First Lady praised its role in reducing the stigma around infertility. “Infertility remains a sensitive topic in the Maldives, with women bearing much of the societal burden,” she noted. She highlighted that the Maldivian administration has taken steps to make Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), including in-vitro fertilization (IVF), more accessible by including these treatments under the Aasandha public health insurance scheme.
The First Lady expressed a strong interest in introducing the ‘More than a Mother’ campaign to the Maldives, aiming to shift societal perceptions on infertility and provide support for affected individuals. Additionally, she discussed other priorities such as cancer prevention and treatment, educational initiatives, and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
Concluding her speech, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed emphasized her commitment to exploring further collaboration with the Merck Foundation to build a healthier and more equitable world. Her call for partnership reflects a shared commitment to addressing health and social issues that impact communities both locally and globally.
Her remarks were made during her keynote address as the Guest of Honour at the High-Level First Ladies Panel, part of the 11th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary Annual Conference.
Commending the Merck Foundation’s impactful ‘More than a Mother’ campaign, the First Lady praised its role in reducing the stigma around infertility. “Infertility remains a sensitive topic in the Maldives, with women bearing much of the societal burden,” she noted. She highlighted that the Maldivian administration has taken steps to make Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), including in-vitro fertilization (IVF), more accessible by including these treatments under the Aasandha public health insurance scheme.
The First Lady expressed a strong interest in introducing the ‘More than a Mother’ campaign to the Maldives, aiming to shift societal perceptions on infertility and provide support for affected individuals. Additionally, she discussed other priorities such as cancer prevention and treatment, educational initiatives, and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
Concluding her speech, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed emphasized her commitment to exploring further collaboration with the Merck Foundation to build a healthier and more equitable world. Her call for partnership reflects a shared commitment to addressing health and social issues that impact communities both locally and globally.
