Both the obesity rate and the prevalence of low physical activity levels across the population are among the highest in the WHO South-East Asia Region. Furthermore, more than half of the adult population has high cholesterol and more than a third of adult men are daily tobacco smokers. In the most recent Maldives Health Master Plan, which spans the period 2006–15, the government acknowledged NCDs as one of the top health priorities. In January 2013 the Ban of Smoking in Public Places regulation was implemented – it is the first tobacco control regulation in the country, showing that steps are being taken by the government to tackle the unhealthy lifestyles that can contribute to the rise of NCDs. Communicable diseases along with maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions accounted for an estimated 12 per cent of all mortality in Maldives in 2012. Prevalence of HIV among people aged 15–49 is 0.1 per cent (2012). Maldives eliminated malaria over the period 1973–99. The estimated incidence of tuberculosis (TB) saw a significant decline in the period 1990–2012, when it dropped by two-thirds, although estimated mortality (when Ma l d i v e s mortality data excludes cases comorbid with HIV) remained more or less the same overall in the period 2007–13. There is little data concerning the most commonly diagnosed mental illnesses in Maldives. Health systems: In the most recent survey, conducted between 1997 and 2010, there were 142 doctors, and 504 nurses and midwives per 100,000 people. Additionally, in 2011, 99 per cent of births were attended by qualified health staff and in 2013, 99 per cent of one-year-olds were immunised with one dose of measles. In 2012, 99 per cent of people were using an improved drinking water source and 99 per cent had access to adequate sanitation facilities. The most recent survey, conducted in the period 2000–11, reports that Maldives has 82 pharmaceutical personnel per 100,000 people. The Ministry of Health provides comprehensive public health services, including primary, preventive and curative care services. There is only one tertiary facility, which is located in Malé. There are a number of regional hospitals, 13 atoll hospitals, 87 health centres, 51 family health sections and 37 health posts in Maldives. The reorganisation of the health system, with the introduction of atoll hospitals and placement of doctors at health centres, has enabled increased access to medical services for the island communities. Commonwealth Health Partnerships 2015 207 Under-five mortality 100 80 60 40 20 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Under-five mortality per 1,000 live births 2015 MDG 4 target 0 Life expectancy 1980 1990 2000 2013 Life expectancy Life expectancy in years 80 70 60 50 Mortality by cause of death (% of all deaths), 2012 Communicable diseases, Injuries maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions Non-communicable diseases Tuberculosis: Incidence and mortality 1990 2000 2010 Mortality excluding cases comorbid with HIV (per100,000 people) Incidence of tuberculosis (per 100,000 people) – including cases comorbid with HIV 150 120 90 60 30 0
Commonwealth Health Partnerships 2015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above