In a decisive move to strengthen patient safety and elevate healthcare quality nationwide, WHO in close collaboration with Quality Assurance department, Ministry of Health Maldives successfully concluded a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) on Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) from 2–4 December 2025. This milestone training was initiated in response to the growing national need to align existing HAI guidelines with the most up-to-date WHO standards while addressing the escalating challenges of healthcare-associated infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). It represents a strategic investment in building a safer, more resilient healthcare system for the Maldives.
The workshop brought together a unified team of national and international expertise. Technical faculty from the renowned Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, India joined forces with respected local experts. Their combined experience enriched the sessions, ensuring the curriculum was both globally aligned and locally practical. The participant cohort was intentionally diverse, featuring Clinical Nurses, Infection Prevention Chiefs, Medical Officers, Senior Registered Nurses, and Laboratory Technologists from public, private, and regional hospitals such as IGMH, Addu Equatorial Hospital, Kulhuduffushi Regional Hospital, Hulhumale Hospital, and ADK.
Over the course of three immersive days, participants strengthened core competencies essential for HAI surveillance and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). The first day delved into Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI), exploring the importance of local HAI data, effective surveillance systems, and the role of CAUTI Care Bundles in prevention. The second day expanded to other major HAIs, including Bloodstream Infections (BSI), as trainers learned to apply Care Bundles for CLABSI, VAP, and SSI across their clinical environments. The final day focused on AMR Surveillance and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMSP), unpacking global and national AMR trends, antibiotic policy development, multidisciplinary stewardship, and the importance of data-driven decision-making.
With the conclusion of this ToT, the real work now begins. The newly certified trainers form a national resource pool, capable of cascading this knowledge to institutions across the Maldives. At least 10 to 15 participants are expected to spearhead trainings within their own hospitals, ensuring the skills gained are rapidly and sustainably translated into practice. Their first task; launching Quality Improvement Projects (QIPs) will put their learning into action by applying Care Bundles, strengthening surveillance, and initiating measurable improvements in patient outcomes.
WHO, together with the Quality Assurance team of Ministry of Health, remains committed to walking alongside this new cadre of trainers. Their guidance, technical support, and mentorship will ensure that IPC practices, HAI surveillance, and AMSP efforts are not limited to the training room but embedded within every ward, operating theatre, and ICU across the country.
The future of patient safety in the Maldives is now in the hands of these equipped and empowered trainers; champions who will play a transformational role in elevating the standards of care and protecting patients nationwide.