WHO Maldives collaborates closely with the Ministry of Health and key stakeholders to enhance the efficiency of the existing health financing system. This includes conducting a qualitative assessment of the Maldives' health financing system utilizing the WHO's Health Financing Progress Matrix (HFPM). The HFPM helps identify strengths and weaknesses within the current system, guiding the development of priority policy directions. Complementing the monitoring of key quantitative indicators on service coverage and financial protection, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda, HFPM assessments provide valuable insights. Furthermore, HFPM assessments offer a complementary perspective to National Health Accounts (NHA) expenditure analysis.
In addition to HFPM support, WHO Maldives is actively assisting in the production of NHA data, which is crucial for understanding health expenditure patterns and informing resource allocation decisions. WHO Maldives provides crucial support to the development and utilization of National Health Accounts (NHA) data in the Maldives. NHA data provides a comprehensive picture of health expenditure flows, including government, private, and out-of-pocket spending. By analyzing these data, policymakers can gain valuable insights into the efficiency and equity of the health system. WHO supported Maldives in strengthening its NHA capacity by providing technical guidance, training, and data analysis support. This effort was marked by coordinated support across all three tiers of WHO including Headquarters, Regional Office for South East Asia and the Country Office, complemented by mobilization of external experts. Such integrated support enables the Maldives to generate high-quality NHA data, track progress towards health financing goals, and make informed decisions on resource allocation and policy reforms. By improving the availability and use of NHA data, WHO is contributing to a more sustainable and equitable health system in the Maldives.