The Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Southeast Asia, Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh has paid a courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid.

Dr. Khetrapal Singh is currently undertaking an official visit to the Maldives from 18-20 December 2022 upon the invitation of Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem.

She met with the Maldivian Foreign Minister at the Foreign Ministry, on Monday.

The meeting saw Dr. Khetrapal Singh praising the efforts of the Government of Maldives for its response to, and recovery efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, she noted the great strides, the Maldivian Government has made in the health sector.

Dr. Khetrapal Singh also commended the Maldives for successfully eliminating many diseases targeted for elimination, including Malaria, Polio and mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.

Foreign Minister Shahid thanked Dr. Khetrapal Singh for her outstanding leadership and efforts to advance regional health, accelerating the process of immunization and promoting integrated health services.

He also expressed appreciation for the WHO for prioritizing the need of small states in times of need, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, by improving health security and resilience.

Foreign Minister Shahid was accompanied by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel, Joint Secretary Khadeeja Najeeha, and Chief General Service Officer Aishath Rifga Mohamed.