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Maldivian standards of living have improved gradually in the
last few decades, and life expectancy is now 64 years. In the past
"Maldives fever" Malaria was notorious among travelers and
seafarers. The islands were thought to have an unhealthy climate,
but probably the greatest cause of illness and disease was
contaminated water in village wells. Where 25 years ago no modern
doctor was available for the outlying atolls, considerable progress
has been made in health care. New health centers have been set up in
all the atolls and health programs reach even the most remote
villages. Malaria, which laid so many travelers low in the past, has
been totally eradicated. |
