Ministry of Health has completed the collection of information from eight atolls for the Maldives Health and Demographic Survey. Officials have finished collecting information from The Greater Male' region and Male' Atoll along with Vaavu Atoll, Faafu Atoll, Dhaalu Atoll, Kolhumadulu and Mulaku Atoll as well as Alifu Alifu Atoll and Alif Dhaalu Atoll, according to the ministry.
Health and Demographic survey is conducted with the principal purpose of providing reliable and detailed information on the demographic and health situation of the country. The survey was aimed at gathering information which will enable the Ministry of Health and Family as well as other national and international institutions to develop, monitor and evaluate policies and programs in the field of health mainly maternal and child health, reproductive, nutrition, population and development. The survey is conducted for the population of 15 to 49 years of age.
Health Ministry assures that the information gathered is confidential and that it would not be misused. While the ministry began the survey at March 2016, the aim is to complete the survey by the end of November 2017. The Maldives Demographic and Health Survey was last conducted in 2009.