The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng, has expressed serious concern over the exposure of private health information in the Maldives.
Her remarks come at a time when Home Minister Ali Ihusaan faces scrutiny for publicly disclosing messages sent by an individual to the Police Victim Support unit.
Following meetings with various government agencies to assess the accessibility of healthcare rights in the country, Dr. Mofokeng told reporters that, as mental health issues rise in the Maldives, it is imperative to maintain public trust in the services provided.
"A dedicated mental health helpline and a social service hotline have been established. This is a positive system for those seeking help. However, the leakage of communication details must be stopped. Only then can trust in the system be maintained and effective results achieved," she said.
The Special Rapporteur noted that there is currently a shortage of specialized, trained personnel to handle calls on the Maldives' mental health helplines.
She emphasized the importance of establishing a comprehensive system where psychologists, counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists—rather than just administrative staff—are involved in responding to calls.
Dr. Mofokeng further highlighted that while digitalization is crucial for the Maldivian health sector, the lack of transparency in the digital environment and the absence of a protective framework to safeguard human rights remain significant challenges.
"The lack of transparency in digitalization and the absence of a secure framework to ensure protection of human rights are obstacles to preventing data leaks," she stated.
The controversy surrounding Ihusaan stems from a press conference on April 23, where he publicized private messages exchanged with the Police Victim Support unit. Despite widespread public criticism, President Mohamed Muizzu defended the minister’s decision to share the information.
In response to growing concerns over privacy, Attorney General (AG) Ahmed Usham announced last Wednesday that a Data Protection Bill would be submitted during the current session of Parliament.
