Today is World Heart Day. While we mark World Heart Day today, it is heart-warming to know the progress made by the Maldivian health sector in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
In May 2012, world leaders committed to reducing global mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is accountable for nearly half of all NCD deaths making it the world's number one killer.
Created by the World Heart Federation, World Heart Day informs people around the globe that CVDs, including heart disease and stroke, is the world's leading cause of death claiming 17.5 million lives each year and highlights the actions that individuals can take to prevent and control CVDs. It aims to drive action to educate people that by controlling risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided.
Maldives has also been seeking means to combat NCDs. A special focus is given on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases and cancer. During the past years, the country has made progress in the development of necessary healthcare infrastructure and in the provision of health insurance. Via the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), treatment for cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases and cancer, both locally and abroad, can be sought under the national healthcare insurance scheme.
In June 2016, the National Cardiac Centre was established and has served over 52,000 patients, to date. An MRI centre was established at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in November 2015 and has treated over 15,000 patients so far. Hulhumale' Hospital has also been upgraded with the introduction of MRI and CT scan services.
The control and prevention of NCD's demand involvement from the public as it requires positive changes in lifestyle. These include the adoption of a healthy diet and a regular exercise regime and abstention from the consumption of tobacco.