Honourable Ministers, the Organising Chairman of the Congress – Professor Nayak, the Organising Secretary of the Congress – Professor Balaji, Mr. Waheed Deen, Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is indeed a great privilege for me to address such a distinguished international gathering of eminent surgeons, as this. I thank Professor Nayak and Professor Balaji for inviting me to inaugurate this, the 2nd Asia Pacific Congress on Craniofacial Distraction Osteogenesis. I commend them both for their important efforts in organising this Congress. I am also grateful to you, Professor Nayak, for the beautiful memento that you have just presented to me.
Distinguished Participants:
The Maldives welcomes the convening of events that brings to its shores accomplished professionals along with their innovative ideas and inventive skills. Such meetings provide an opportunity for our professionals to learn from the gurus of their field.
I understand CDO is of very recent origin, although the surgical technique, which was popularised in the 1940s, had been known to orthopaedic surgeons for almost a century. I believe that in the past few years, very creative refinements have been made to the technique, including developing non-invasive methods to rectify certain conditions. This would indeed be very welcome news to children and adults with congenital problems as well as to many victims of accidents and injuries requiring reconstructive surgery of the facial skeleton.
Distinguished Participants:
As you meet on this beautiful holiday resort, I would like to congratulate Mr. Waheed Deen, Managing Director of Orchid Holdings, and owner of the resort, for attracting such a galaxy of luminous surgeons to Bandos. Mr. Deen is not only a successful businessman, but also a prominent patron of a number of philanthropic activities, which include founding and leading the Diabetes and Cancer Society of the Maldives.
Distinguished Participants:
Although the Maldives does not yet have the capacity to undertake advanced medical research, the development of medical services in the country is a matter of high priority for the Government. The greatest asset that any country has is its people. Therefore, the health and well-being of our people is a foremost national concern. I am happy that we have been able, in the past two decades, to make good progress in the provision of health services in the country.
Just a few decades ago, we relied almost entirely on foreign doctors, nurses and paramedics. But today, the number of Maldivian doctors and other health professionals is increasing rapidly. In addition to government funded healthcare services, NGOs such as the Society for Health Education, ably contribute to improving the health status of the people. Numerous private sector health care providers are also rendering a variety of health services to the public.
I am happy that through the Government’s four-tier network of health service stations, we are able to cover all the 199 inhabited islands. In addition to the Government hospital in the capital, there are six regional hospitals, several atoll hospitals, health centres and health posts. All these hospitals, health centres and health posts are run and funded by the Government. In fact, there are island level health facilities on every inhabited island. It is true that a number of the facilities in many islands are very basic, but we are steadily upgrading the services offered in all the centres.
As a result of such concentrated efforts, we are pleased that we have achieved significant gains in the health status of the population. Infant and maternal mortality rates have substantially declined. Attention is shifting from communicable diseases to lifestyle related non-communicable diseases and degenerative ailments, caused by the marked improvement in life expectancy and the increasingly sedentary lifestyles of our population. But other challenges remain, such as those related to poor dietary habits. Nutritional deficiencies of course lead to other complications. These include dental problems and the resultant craniofacial conditions which would of course be of interest to you. A major behaviour change strategy and campaign is crucial for sustainable health. Congenital malformations and conditions related to poor oral hygiene and the resultant craniofacial conditions also need our special attention.
I am sure that the Congress will impart useful knowledge to our community of doctors on the latest research and techniques in the field of CDO. I am also confident that the event would increase awareness in the community on the treatments possible for patients with conditions that might impair their speech, vision, hearing, taste, smell, and the ability to breathe, chew and swallow and other vital functions. Good health is a cherished blessing. Any endeavour that increases the quality of life and well-being of people is, no doubt, a worthy cause.
Speaking of which, let me note what a special day today, the 8th of March, really is, not only for our efforts to improve the health status of the people, but in fact for all our endeavours. No lasting improvement in any of the challenges facing humanity today, be it social, economic or political, can be achieved without the full participation and the full empowerment of the world’s women. I am very happy to extend my sincere greetings of the International Women’s Day to all committed to promoting gender equality, and to all women everywhere. Today, the test of progress is that every girl born to this world enjoys the same opportunities and prospects as every boy. Let us rededicate ourselves to that goal, every day and in everything we do.
It is a happy coincidence that today, the second Monday of March, is also the Commonwealth Day. I extend sincere greetings of the occasion to all peoples of the Commonwealth. I note that surgeons from several Commonwealth countries are among those participating in the Congress. The theme for this year is “Freedom”, encompassing the values of democracy, human rights, sustainable development, peace and friendship. These are values that are fundamental not only to the pursuit of progress, but also to that of human welfare and happiness.
Distinguished Participants:
You are meeting on a very auspicious day to discuss new ideas and pursue progress that will benefit humanity. Let me therefore wish you a very rewarding and successful conference, and conclude my remarks by wishing you an enjoyable stay in the Maldives.
Thank you.