Cancer has become one of the leading causes of death globally accounting for nearly 10 million deaths globally in 2020. It is also becoming increasingly evident that Maldives is no exception to this epidemiological transition. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)/WHO Global Cancer Observatory estimates, Maldives had about 496 new cancer cases and 264 deaths in 2020.
However, the full burden of cancer in Maldives remains unclear, as the country’s cancer registry is at an early stage of development. Due to an increase in the aging population, the prevalence of cancer in Maldives is likely to increase in the coming decade as the risk of developing cancer rises with age. This risk can be further exacerbated by unhealthy behaviors and habits. A third of all cancers could be prevented through control of risk factors such as tobacco smoking, chewing of Areca nut with or without tobacco, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity. A further third of cancers could be controlled through early detection and prompt and adequate treatment of the disease.
To address the burden of Cancer, WHO Maldives began collaborating with Ministry of Health Maldives to develop the National Cancer Control Plan of Maldives 2022–2026 through extensive engagement and collaboration with various stakeholders. This will become the blueprint to advance cancer prevention, management and monitoring in the country. To supplement this process, a joint WHO-IAEA mission was also conducted in 2022 that supported in the finalization of the the Cancer Control Plan for the country.
The objectives of the plan include identifying measures to prevent cancer in the Maldives and providing appropriate treatment and other services to people with cancer. The plan aims to reduce the challenges faced in accessing treatment and improve coordination between government institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations. It’ll also seek to strengthen the "Cancer Registry" for the collection of data on the number of cancer cases, general types of cancer, and lifestyle and treatment of cancer patients and those receiving treatment.
Additionally, WHO is working with Ministry of Health on revitalization of Primary Health Care through a demonstration project in Faafu Atoll. At this demonstration site, plans are in motion to initiate prevention and control of cancer at Primary Care level where the health care workers will provide the necessary lifestyle guidance to the population on prevention of common cancers and provide services to detect cancers and refer them to higher levels of care for initiation of early treatment and care. The implementation of this plan will help achieve the target of reducing the prevalence of non-communicable diseases to 25 percent by 2030.
Speaking at the launching ceremony of the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP), Minister of Health Honorable Ahmed Naseem attributed the increase in non-communicable diseases in the Maldives to unhealthy lifestyles engrained within Maldivians, urging the public to practice healthier lifestyles. “The results of the STEPs survey of 2020 and 2021 show that many unhealthy habits which lead to cancer are engrained within our society, in this regard, there is an increased number of people who consume unhealthy foods and drinks, smokers in comparison to the number of active people,” he said.
Honorable Minister also revealed that discussions were underway to conduct cancer research in the Maldives, in identifying the severity of the disease, under the guidance and expertise of WHO."The high prevalence of cancer in the country is a source of concern and government of Maldives has given priority to this area. A national cancer control plan is the logical step to bring together all stakeholders and to help in advancing comprehensive cancer control in the country,” said Dr Nazneen Anwar, WHO Representative, “I call upon all stakeholders to come together and support the stepwise implementation of the National Cancer Control Plan for the Maldives, whereby we can prevent the preventable cancers, manage the controllable cancers through early detection, early initiation of treatment, and improve the quality of life of those who are terminally ill through rehabilitation and palliative care services.”
WHO remains committed to provide leadership as well as technical assistance to support the Government of Maldives and partners to build and sustain a high-quality cancer control programme to prevent and control non communicable diseases and to reduce premature mortality from cancer.