Maldives Holds First AMR Steering Committee Meeting

The first meeting of the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Steering Committee was held today as part of efforts to implement the National AMR Action Plan 2024–2029. The session, chaired by Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, brought together high-level officials from multiple sectors for what the government says is a unified approach to combating AMR.

Ministers attending included Dr. Aishath Shiham (Social and Family Development), Tariq Ibrahim (Tourism and Environment), Dr. Mariyam Mariya (Animal Welfare), and Ahmed Shiyam (Fisheries), signaling a multi-sector interest in tackling the growing health threat.

The meeting emphasized implementing the One Health Approach—a globally recognized model integrating human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Officials presented an overview of the current AMR landscape in the Maldives and discussed the structural and policy barriers hindering progress.

While the meeting represents a positive step toward inter-sectoral collaboration, concerns remain over whether coordination will extend beyond the boardroom. Past health initiatives in the Maldives have often struggled with consistent funding, execution gaps, and limited accountability once action plans move into implementation stages.

The National AMR Action Plan 2024–2029, launched in December 2023, aims to mobilize resources, share expertise, and improve regulatory mechanisms to prevent the misuse of antimicrobials—a key contributor to drug resistance.

However, experts warn that without strong leadership, proper financing, and continuous evaluation mechanisms, the plan risks becoming another well-intentioned policy with minimal impact.