The Maldives National University (MNU), through its Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Health Protection Agency (HPA), has commenced a Health System Orientation Programme aimed at strengthening academic staff’s understanding of the Maldivian health system and enhancing the relevance of health professional education.

The programme brings together the Dean and academic staff of FHS with officials from the Ministry of Health, HPA, and related health-sector agencies. Through direct engagement with health-sector professionals, the orientation provides academic staff with an opportunity to gain current, practical knowledge of the country’s health system, programmes, services and public health priorities.

The programme was inaugurated by Director-General of Public Health, Mr. Ibrahim Nishan Ahmed. In his address, Mr. Nishan highlighted the importance of ensuring that health professional education is closely connected to the realities and requirements of the health system. He emphasized that programmes such as this help academic staff provide accurate and relevant information to students, contributing to the preparation of competent health professionals.

He further highlighted that the ultimate beneficiaries of improved health professional education are patients and communities, as better-informed and appropriately prepared health professionals can contribute to improved health and wellbeing.

The orientation also provides a platform for closer engagement between the University and the national health sector. By bringing academic staff together with officials responsible for health policy, programmes, health protection and related services, the programme supports the exchange of knowledge and practical experience between education and health-sector institutions.

For FHS, this engagement strengthens the connection between classroom learning and current health-sector practice. It supports the faculty’s commitment to preparing graduates who understand the national health system and are able to apply their professional knowledge in response to the health needs of the Maldivian population.

The programme contributes directly to continuous academic development, quality and relevance in health professional education by strengthening academic staff’s understanding of the Maldivian health system. It also supports health and well-being by strengthening the preparation of health professionals, ultimately contributing to the delivery of quality health services and improved health outcomes for individuals and communities.

The collaboration between FHS, MNU, MoH, HPA and other health-sector agencies demonstrates the value of institutional collaboration, knowledge exchange and coordinated health workforce development in strengthening education and the national health system.

Through continued engagement of this nature, FHS aims to ensure that its academic staff and students remain connected to evolving health priorities and that graduates are better prepared to contribute effectively to the health and wellbeing of the people of the Maldives.