First Lady Sajidha Mohamed attended the International Nurses Day 2026 Debate held at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Maldives National University, as nursing professionals gathered to discuss career advancement and the future of the profession in the Maldives.
The event was organised by Community Nurse Volunteers and the Maldives Oncology Nurse Association to mark International Nurses Day, observed annually on May 12.
The First Lady was welcomed at the venue by Mariyam Niyan, President of Community Nurse Volunteers, and Aminath Zeeniya, President of the Maldives Oncology Nurse Association.
The debate was held under the motion, “The nursing field in the Maldives offers sufficient opportunities for advancement.” Two teams took part in the discussion, with Team A arguing in favour of the motion and Team B speaking against it.
The session examined one of the most pressing questions facing the country’s health workforce, whether nurses in the Maldives have adequate pathways for career progression, professional development, specialisation and leadership.
The debate also explored how the nursing field could be expanded to create stronger opportunities for nurses across the health system, particularly as the profession continues to carry a major share of patient care, community health support and specialised clinical services.
Practitioners and academics from the sector attended the event, along with a large audience of nursing professionals. Their participation reflected the growing importance of nursing policy, workforce development and professional recognition in strengthening the national health system.
International Nurses Day is marked worldwide on May 12, the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale. In the Maldives, this year’s observance comes at a time when nurses remain central to public health delivery, from hospitals and health centres to community-based care and specialist services.
The debate highlighted both the progress made in developing the profession and the concerns that remain over training access, promotion pathways, working conditions and the need for broader recognition of nurses as skilled professionals within the health sector.
For the Maldives, the discussion is not only about career advancement. It is also about whether the health system can retain experienced nurses, support younger entrants to the field and build a workforce capable of meeting the country’s future healthcare needs.
