First Lady calls for stronger Maldives-Pakistan cooperation on medicine regulation

First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has called for stronger regulatory cooperation between the Maldives and Pakistan to ensure public access to safe, effective and quality-assured medicines.

She made the remarks during a visit to Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP) in Islamabad, where she met with senior management and officials on Wednesday while accompanying President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on his State Visit to Pakistan.

Emphasising the importance of medicine safety, the First Lady said healthcare was ultimately about people, improving lives and easing suffering.

She stressed that public trust in medicines was fundamental to an effective healthcare system.

That trust must be protected through strong regulatory institutions, sound scientific standards, and effective international cooperation

she stated.

First Lady noted that access to reliable, quality-assured medicines remained a national priority for the Maldives, particularly given the challenges of delivering healthcare across a geographically dispersed island nation.

She highlighted the importance of robust regulatory systems and international partnerships in safeguarding public health and maintaining confidence in medicines.

The First Lady also acknowledged Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to the Maldivian health sector, particularly through the deployment of medical professionals and the training of Maldivian doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers.

She said a memorandum of understanding on health cooperation, scheduled to be signed between the two countries on Wednesday, would create opportunities for technical exchanges, capacity building and the sharing of regulatory best practices.

She emphasised that the success of bilateral healthcare cooperation should be measured by its tangible benefits to the public and its contribution to building more resilient healthcare systems.

She thanked the government and people of Pakistan for their continued support and commended DRAP officials for their work in protecting public health.

Before visiting DRAP, the First Lady also toured Pakistan’s National Institute of Health in Islamabad.