First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has called on society as a whole to move beyond reactive treatment and adopt a proactive approach to asthma management. She made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the World Asthma Day 2026 Symposium.
In her speech, the First Lady highlighted the burden of asthma in the Maldives, noting particularly high rates of paediatric asthma and a significant number of asthma-related hospital visits.
The First Lady drew attention to the impact of pollution, poor air quality, and changing weather patterns on respiratory health, recognising these as major contributors to the rising respiratory disease burden as identified by the World Health Organization (WHO). She further noted that conditions such as atopy, allergies, and eczema are frequent in the Maldives and are believed to contribute significantly to asthma prevalence, with environmental factors known to trigger or worsen such conditions.
Reflecting on this year's World Asthma Day theme, 'Access to anti-inflammatory inhalers for everyone with asthma – Still an urgent need,' the First Lady called for an end to the stigma and misinformation that lead patients to avoid inhalers. She affirmed that inhalers are safe, effective, and not addictive, and that they improve asthma control, reduce flare-ups, and enhance quality of life.
Acknowledging progress made in the Maldives, the First Lady cited the establishment of specialised services, including tobacco cessation clinics and sleep labs, as reflecting a holistic approach to patient care. However, she noted that respiratory care remains underutilised across the islands, with delays in seeking timely evaluation resulting in emergencies being treated rather than health being managed.
She concluded by expressing hope that the symposium would inspire not only discussion but meaningful action, and strengthen the resolve to create a healthier and happier Maldives.
