First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has called for the creation of societies built on empathy and inclusion, stressing that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their circumstances.
Speaking at the 8th Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit, held as part of the 13th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary conference, the First Lady underscored the importance of ensuring equal access to healthcare and opportunities for all.
Participating as a guest of honour alongside First Ladies from African and Asian countries at the virtual summit, Sajidha highlighted the need to bridge disparities in healthcare access, particularly for people living in remote communities.
She said that geographical location should never determine an individual’s access to quality healthcare, emphasizing that children born on remote islands should enjoy the same opportunities for a healthy future as those born in urban centres.
“Every child, regardless of where they are born, should have an equal chance to thrive and build a healthy future,” she noted during her address.
The First Lady also highlighted the achievements made through the Maldives’ partnership with the Merck Foundation, describing the collaboration as an important contributor to strengthening healthcare and social development initiatives in the country.
According to Sajidha, the partnership has so far facilitated 13 scholarships for Maldivians in key medical specialties, including fertility and embryology, endocrinology, critical care and paediatrics.
She further noted that Maldivians have also benefited through the foundation’s creative initiatives, with eight awards granted in areas such as media, music, filmmaking and fashion design.
In addition, around 3,000 school supply sets have been distributed in the Maldives through the foundation’s “Educating Linda” programme, aimed at supporting children’s education.
Addressing broader development issues, the First Lady stressed that sustainable progress cannot be achieved solely through infrastructure development. Instead, she said lasting development depends on partnerships founded on trust, solidarity and a shared commitment to improving lives.
As Ambassador for the Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” campaign, Sajidha also spoke about the social stigma associated with infertility.
She said discrimination and societal pressure linked to infertility can often be as painful as the medical condition itself, calling on communities to replace judgment with compassion and understanding.
The First Lady urged participants to work collectively to ensure that healthcare, opportunity and dignity are recognized as universal rights rather than privileges available only to a select few.
She also congratulated the Merck Foundation on its ninth anniversary and praised the organization’s 14 years of work supporting communities across Africa, Asia and other underserved regions.
The Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary is an annual gathering that brings together policymakers, healthcare experts, academics and development partners to discuss solutions to major healthcare and social challenges facing countries across the two regions.
