First Lady urges women not to delay seeking medical advice on health concerns

First Lady Sajidha Mohamed on Thursday urged women not to delay seeking medical advice or undergoing appropriate screening, emphasizing that early detection of breast cancer gives women more treatment options, greater hope and a better chance of recovery.

Saajidha made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 7th Breast Cancer Awareness Symposium, held under the theme ‘From Detection to Recovery: Optimizing Breast Cancer Care’.

In her address, Sajidha said that breast cancer as an important health priority for the Maldives and encouraged women to remain attentive to changes in their breasts and seek medical advice promptly.

She stressed that early diagnosis can make a significant difference by providing more treatment options and enabling care to begin at a stage when the chances of successful treatment may be greater.

“What I want to say to women is: don’t delay concerns you have about your own health. Prioritize your health. Take action and seek medical advice. That may be the most important decision you make for your own sake as well as that of your loved ones,” she said.

She also emphasized the importance of strengthening diagnostic capacity through modern equipment and specialized expertise, noting the potential of artificial intelligence to identify subtle changes at an early stage. She stressed the need to continue developing the healthcare workforce to ensure the effective use of advanced technologies.

Sajidha underscored the importance of timely, coordinated and patient-centered care, noting that patients should receive clear information, dignity, compassion and emotional support alongside medical treatment.

Addressing the challenges posed by the Maldives’ geography, she stressed that distance should not limit access to care or determine the quality or timeliness of treatment.

She called for continued efforts to strengthen breast cancer services across the country, improve referral pathways and make specialized care more accessible.

Sajidha also acknowledged women who have undergone or are undergoing treatment, as well as those who have lost loved ones to breast cancer. She reaffirmed the importance of placing women at the center of care and ensuring that those undergoing treatment can live with dignity.