In a nation of scattered islands facing rising climate threats and recurring disease outbreaks, the urgency of a stronger, unified health security system has never been clearer. Responding to this imperative, the Government of Maldives; led by the Ministry of Health and the Health Protection Agency, with technical support from WHO, is advancing its preparedness architecture by transforming the existing Health Emergency Operations Plan (HEOP) into the more robust and comprehensive National Health Emergency Response Operations Plan (NHEROP). This evolution reflects lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and insights from national simulation exercises, both of which highlighted the undeniable need for coordinated, multi-sectoral action that stretches far beyond the traditional health domain.
A three-day consultation workshop was held in November 2025, marking a defining moment for national consensus building. This gathering brought together decision-makers from across the national response ecosystem, ensuring broad ownership and alignment around the new plan. It was not merely a health-sector meeting but a demonstration of a true whole-of-government commitment. Representatives from Maldives National Defense Force and Maldives Police Service contributed strategic insight on security, logistics, and emergency movement protocols. Stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Maldives Airports Company Ltd, and Maldives Immigration ensured that essential services, critical infrastructure, and points of entry are integrated into national response mechanisms. Senior officials from the National Disaster Management Authority and the Local Government Authority worked to ensure that the NHEROP is fully embedded within the broader national disaster management framework, strengthening coherence from Malé to the outermost islands.
Through this multi-sectoral collaboration, the draft NHEROP established a clear governance structure, defined the roles and responsibilities of all actors, and outlined mechanisms to rapidly mobilize essential human, financial, and logistical resources across agencies. The plan is structured not only to guide emergency response but to ensure that Maldives can act swiftly, cohesively, and effectively when confronted with a public health threat.
But the blueprint’s true value lies in its operational readiness. With the draft now taking shape, the next milestone will be a series of validation activities designed to test the plan’s functionality. The process will culminate in a large-scale tabletop exercise, where all participating ministries and agencies will be challenged to operationalize the NHEROP under simulated emergency conditions. This rigorous exercise will assess whether the whole-of-government framework performs as intended ensuring seamless coordination, rapid decision-making, and a unified national response.
As Maldives strengthens its preparedness capacities, the NHEROP represents not just a policy document but a resilient shield for the nation; one built through collaboration, grounded in lessons learned, and designed to protect every island community during future health emergencies. With WHO’s continued technical support and global expertise, the plan is further reinforced by international best practices, ensuring Maldives is equipped with a robust, future-ready framework for health security.