World Health Organization in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare, Health Protection Agency, Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), conducted a three-day National Workshop on Strengthening Chemical and Biological Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacities from 13 to 15 October 2026.
The workshop brought together approximately 50 participants from government institutions, healthcare facilities, security services, the private sector and partner organizations, with technical expertise from WHO's South-East Asia Regional Office and Headquarters. The initiative aimed to strengthen national capacities for timely detection, assessment and coordinated response to chemical and biological emergencies through enhanced multisectoral collaboration.
The workshop focused on strengthening understanding of national emergency preparedness and response mechanisms, including chemical safety regulations, hazard identification and notification procedures, the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), and the National Emergency Response Plan. Participants reviewed existing institutional roles and responsibilities, identified coordination gaps and explored opportunities to improve information-sharing and operational readiness across sectors.
Through technical sessions and practical exercises, participants strengthened their knowledge of investigating suspected chemical incidents, applying the Incident Command System, conducting triage and decontamination, and communicating public health risks during emergencies. A practical session facilitated by the MNDF Fire Brigade provided hands-on training in the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including safe donning and doffing procedures to protect emergency responders.
The workshop concluded with a tabletop simulation of a gas leak, allowing participants to apply their knowledge in a realistic emergency scenario. The exercise assessed initial response planning, interagency coordination, communication and multisectoral decision-making, while identifying operational gaps and priority areas for further strengthening.
The initiative also facilitated regional knowledge exchange, drawing on lessons from a similar workshop in Sri Lanka attended by representatives from the WHO Country Office Maldives and the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare. Representatives from the WHO Country Office in Nepal participated as observers, providing an opportunity to share experiences and approaches to strengthening emergency preparedness across the region.
"Health security is a shared regional responsibility, not a national one alone," highlighted WHO Representative Ms Payden, emphasizing the importance of regional collaboration and knowledge-sharing in strengthening national preparedness capacities.
The closing ceremony was attended by the Honorable Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Ms Geela Ali, WHO Representative Ms Payden and senior representatives from the Ministry of Defense and MNDF. The Minister emphasized that chemical and biological emergencies require a coordinated national response extending beyond the health sector, underscoring the importance of early threat detection, clearly defined institutional responsibilities and sustained multisectoral preparedness.
Building on the workshop's outcomes, the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare, together with HPA, the Ministry of Defense, MNDF, NDMA and other partners, will take forward priority actions to strengthen national coordination and response capacities in line with the IHR (2005). These efforts will also inform the proposed development of a five-year roadmap encompassing chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) emergency preparedness and response.
The workshop findings will further contribute to the ongoing national mapping of the health emergency workforce across the 12 Essential Public Health Functions, supporting long-term workforce development and institutional capacity strengthening.
WHO remains committed to supporting the Maldives in advancing a coordinated, multisectoral and resilient approach to health emergency preparedness, ensuring that national institutions and frontline responders are better equipped to protect communities from emerging public health threats.