Australia Awards recognises alumni contributing to stronger public institutions and improved public services in their home countries.
Behind every effective public system are dedicated individuals working to improve people’s lives, often in ways that go unseen. World Public Service Day recognises these contributions, highlighting how public servants drive innovation and deliver essential services.
Moomina Abdullah, Deputy Director General at the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare in the Maldives, is one such leader, working at the forefront of the country’s digital health transformation.
After completing a Master of Digital Health at La Trobe University through an Australia Awards scholarship, Moomina returned to the Maldivian civil service with a clear goal: to apply global expertise to local healthcare challenges. Her work focuses on digital health governance, interoperability, health information management, and strengthening data-driven systems to improve service delivery.
Moomina’s contributions are closely aligned with the Government’s “Maldives 2.0” digital transformation agenda, which aims to modernise public services and create a digitally connected future. At the Maldives 2.0 Digital Transformation Summit, she presented the Ministry of Health’s vision for integrated digital health services. This includes secure digital health records, telemedicine, and interoperable systems designed to improve continuity of care across the country’s geographically dispersed islands.
Beyond her national role, Moomina has represented the Maldives at regional and international forums focused on digital health and health systems transformation. Through engagements with networks such as the Asia eHealth Information Network and participation in the Regional Open Digital Health Summit, she has contributed to discussions on national digital health architecture, governance frameworks, and the development of connected health ecosystems.
Her work also provides an important platform to share the Maldives’ experience in building resilient, citizen-centred healthcare systems, while learning from global best practice.
“The Australia Awards experience strengthened both my technical expertise and leadership skills, but more importantly, it reinforced my commitment to public service. Returning to the Maldives gave me the opportunity to apply global knowledge to local challenges and contribute to building a more connected, equitable, and future-ready health system for all Maldivians.”
For Moomina, returning to public service after her Australia Awards experience reflects both a responsibility and an opportunity to strengthen national systems, improve healthcare access, and help build a more connected, future-ready health system for all Maldivians.
