President urges safe agricultural practices to safeguard public health

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Friday, called on local farmers to promote safe agricultural practices, preserve the natural environment, and adopt organic farming methods instead of harmful fertilizers to safeguard and ensure public health.

He made the remark during his message to the public on World Health Day 2023 during which he also spoke regarding marine conservation, especially in Maldivian waters, to ensure food security.

Referring to this year’s World Health Day’s theme – Health for All – President Solih said the theme relates to promoting public health and spoke about the need to enhance the public health sector in the Maldives. In this regard, he stressed that the most significant healthcare sector achievements had been made through the country's public health services.

He also stressed the continuing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and described them as one of the most significant threats to the health and well-being of people. He added that more studies should be done to identify the underlying causes for the increase in NCDs in the Maldives.

Noting this year’s World Health Day coincides with the 75^th of World Health Organization (WHO) – President Solih, underscoring the organization’s immense contribution and assistance to the Maldives in promoting the healthcare sector since its inception, thanked WHO on behalf of the government and the people of the Maldives.