Some of the most powerful decisions are the ones we make before things go wrong. That’s what preventive choice means: choosing to protect our health before illness arrives.
It’s the simple decision to walk before the doctor tells us to, to eat light before the weight builds up, to rest before burnout hits.
Why It Matters
In Maldives, more than eight in ten deaths are from non-communicable diseases: diabetes, heart disease, hypertension. Most are preventable. According to WHO, a Maldivian who reaches 60 years of age, lives about 17 healthy years before illness limits life. Preventive choices can extend that vitality.
For the nation, prevention means lighter hospital loads, lower costs, and stronger communities. When families live healthy, workplaces become more productive, and islands more resilient.
What It Looks Like
- Checking blood pressure once a year.
- Eating fish and fresh vegetables more often.
- Laughing with friends, sleeping on time.
Small, steady actions protect the rhythm of life.
A Shared Responsibility
A culture that values prevention values mercy. When health becomes a shared habit: at home, in offices, and in classrooms; the nation heals faster than any hospital can.
This week, take one preventive step: for yourself, and for the country you love.
Smile and Let Smile 