Five staff members from the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), The Maldives National University (MNU), participated in the national forum “Preparing for an Ageing Maldives” at MNU on 31 March and 1 April 2026. The forum brought together more than 30 government, United Nations and civil society stakeholders, alongside other participants, to examine sustainable long-term care.

Discussion covered ageing demographics, health and social care, workforce capacity, financing, mental health and community-based services. FHS participants included Zahuda Abdul Azeez, Dr.

Asma Ibrahim Sulaiman, Mariyam Neerish, Fathimath Maeesha and Zeenath Shakir. Perspectives from Seoul National University and Japan offered examples of care models that may inform future teaching, research and engagement in the Maldivian context.

As the population ages, academic engagement with care models and workforce needs can help prepare future professionals for changing health and social care demands.

The forum relates to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through healthy ageing, SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) through attention to older people’s care needs, and SDG 4 (Quality Education) through professional learning. Its multisectoral dialogue also supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).