The Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) has received a book grant to support the publication of Vilun, a book that seeks to document and share the lived experiences of people affected by substance use in the Maldives.

The grant was secured by Fathimath Maeesha and Aminath Samha, supporting the development and publication of the book as a resource that can contribute to greater understanding of substance use and its impact on individuals and communities.

Through the documentation of lived experiences, Vilun aims to provide insight into the realities faced by people affected by substance use. Sharing these experiences can help broaden public and professional understanding beyond clinical perspectives and highlight the human experiences associated with substance use, treatment, recovery and rehabilitation.

The publication is intended to contribute to more informed and compassionate approaches to substance use prevention, treatment and rehabilitation in the Maldivian context. By making lived experiences more visible, the book can also support reflection among professionals, students and the wider community on how substance use is understood and addressed.

The initiative reflects FHS’s commitment to knowledge generation and dissemination that responds to important health and social issues in the Maldives. It also provides an opportunity to preserve and share experiences that can inform education, professional practice and community understanding.

The publication contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through its focus on substance use, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by supporting greater awareness, understanding and inclusive approaches to issues affecting individuals and communities.