The Health Expo will not be held on Friday to give priority to the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) rally to be attended by President Mohamed Muizzu.

The three-day expo, which aims to raise awareness on healthy habits, was originally scheduled to be held at Central Park in Hulhumale' from November 13 to November 15.

But the government has now decided not to hold the expo on Friday and to postpone its final day to November 16.

“It was postponed to give priority to the PNC rally,” a government official familiar with the expo said.

Some participants are concerned about the sudden change in the schedule and the government's priority for political gatherings over health.

"Some doctors came from islands after cancelling their duties. Now they have to cancel Sunday duty too. This is very sad," a person said on condition of anonymity.

A government employee said such an expo should not be cancelled to hold a political rally.

"This shows how politicised the health service is. I don't think the expo should be cancelled for a PNC rally," he said.

The PNC announced a rally at Artificial Beach for November 14, after the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) announced a rally for November 17.

The MDP rally has been postponed due to government obstruction. But the PNC has been transporting people from the islands to attend the rally in Male'.

According to the ruling party, the November 14 rally is a celebration of Muizzu's visit to all inhabited islands across the country.