President Muizzu Earns Global Health Spotlight in TIME100 Recognition

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has been featured in TIME Magazine’s prestigious TIME100 Health list, placing the Maldivian leader among the world’s most influential figures shaping the future of healthcare.

In its profile, TIME highlighted the Maldives’ pioneering “Generation Ban” on tobacco products, implemented in November, which prohibits the sale and use of tobacco for anyone born after January 2007. The publication described the policy as a landmark public health move driven by President Muizzu’s strong emphasis on citizen well-being since taking office in 2023.

The magazine also underscored the administration’s decisive ban on the import, sale, and use of vapes and e-cigarettes, noting that the long-term goal is to achieve a tobacco-free Maldives. While acknowledging that some have viewed these measures as stringent, TIME emphasized that the government has complemented the bans with practical support, including the establishment of specialized clinics to help individuals quit smoking.

Quoting President Muizzu, the article noted a shift in national health policy thinking, with prevention now being prioritized alongside treatment. “Historically, government policies have focused more on treating illnesses rather than prevention. However, we are now prioritizing both aspects with equal importance,” the President said.

Beyond tobacco control, TIME highlighted broader health sector achievements under the current administration, including the launch of a 24/7 national mental health helpline and the Maldives’ recognition as the first country to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B.

“These efforts are being undertaken collectively to bring about a meaningful and sustainable transformation in our lifestyle and the overall health of the nation,” President Muizzu remarked, as the Maldives’ health reforms gain growing international attention.