Salih and Anwar Honoured for Helping Shape Maldives’ Economy and Health System Over Decades of Service

At the official Republic Day ceremony in Malé, President Mohamed Muizzu presented two of the nation’s highest honours — one to Mohamed Salih and the other to Moosa Anwar — recognising decades of service in economic development and health respectively. Mohamed Salih (from Hulhudhoo, Addu Atoll) was honoured for over 50 years of service shaping the Maldivian economy: starting at a RAF base in Addu in 1951, founding enterprises (Altaf Enterprises, Damas Company), promoting tourism and sustainable practices, helping diversify trade, including attracting Chinese tourists, and later leading the state-owned Tourism Development Corporation. Moosa Anwar (from Meedhoo, Addu Atoll) was awarded for more than 40 years in public health: starting as a practical nurse in 1977 in Malé, training nurses/midwives/community health workers, playing a role in hospital expansion and regulatory oversight (with the Maldives Food and Drug Authority). The awards are framed as acknowledging sustained contributions to two key national sectors — economy/tourism and healthcare.