The government has formalised agreements to enhance healthcare infrastructure across 18 islands, awarding contracts to three state-owned enterprises as part of a broader initiative to strengthen medical services nationwide.
The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), Fenaka Corporation, and the Road Development Corporation (RDC) have been tasked by the Ministry of Health with implementing the projects, aimed at addressing longstanding deficiencies in healthcare capacity. Fenaka Corporation will oversee developments in nine islands, MTCC in five, and RDC in four. Together, these efforts will see the construction of two hospitals, the establishment of four new healthcare centres, and the refurbishment of 12 existing facilities.
At the signing event, Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim pointed to outdated healthcare facilities as a significant obstacle to delivering quality medical services, particularly in the atolls.
"During visits to islands across the atolls, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has listened to citizens’ concerns, including the limited capacity of healthcare centres, their deteriorating condition, and requests for upgrades to hospital status," Minister Nazim stated. "In response, government policies have been formulated to directly address these issues."
The development of 18 islands is part of a wider government effort to modernise medical facilities across the country. Minister Nazim outlined ongoing efforts, revealing that contracts have already been awarded for the construction of 21 hospitals in three phases.
In addition to this, agreements are in place for the establishment of 19 healthcare centres and the enhancement of 33 existing facilities, Minister Nazim said. New tenders, according to the minister, are set to be issued in the near future, paving the way for the commissioning of an additional 21 healthcare infrastructure projects.