Researchers from the Faculty of Health Sciences have successfully secured research grants for two studies addressing important issues in substance use recovery and child protection in the Maldives.

The first study, “Relapse Realities: Unpacking the Factors Behind Substance Use Recurrence in Maldives,” is led by Mariyam Neerish, with Zeenath Shakir, Aminath Samha, and Fathimath Maeesha as co-researchers. The study focuses on understanding factors associated with the recurrence of substance use, with the aim of generating evidence that can contribute to more responsive and effective support for individuals experiencing relapse.

The second study, “Am I doing enough? Perceptions of Social Workers in Implementing the Child Rights Protection Act (CRPA) (Act No. 19/2019),” is led by Zeenath Shakir, with Mariyam Neerish, Aminath Samha, and Fathimath Maeesha as co-researchers. The research explores social workers’ experiences and perceptions in implementing the Child Rights Protection Act, providing insight into professional practice within the Maldivian child protection context.

Together, the two research projects aim to generate locally relevant evidence on complex social and health issues. Their findings have the potential to support evidence-informed service development, strengthen professional practice, and inform policies and interventions related to substance use and child protection.

The successful grant awards also demonstrate the Faculty’s commitment to collaborative research addressing nationally relevant priorities. Through research, the teams aim to contribute to the development of knowledge that can be translated into improved services and professional practice in the Maldives.

The projects contribute to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through their focus on health and social wellbeing, SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the generation and dissemination of knowledge, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaborative research and knowledge exchange.