President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has assured that the Maroshi Health Centre will be upgraded to provide 24-hour services next year.
The President made the announcement during a community meeting with Maroshi residents, held as part of his ongoing tour of inhabited islands in Shaviyani Atoll.
Earlier in the day, the President met with the members of the Maroshi Island Council, the Women’s Development Committee, and heads of local institutions to discuss the island’s key development priorities.
During the meeting, council members highlighted several urgent needs, including the protection of the eroded area of the island's eastern side. They also requested that additional connecting roads be developed alongside the island's ongoing road construction project. Members also shared the difficulties encountered due to the lack of a multi-purpose hall in the island's school. Other concerns included the need for a boatyard, and issues with the island's channel which becomes unusable during certain seasons. The council also requested to develop and island where residents can travel for leisure and picnics, as well as an increase in health centre staff.
President Dr Muizzu assured participants that the government would give due consideration to their concerns.
Later, during the community meeting, the President explained that next year's national budget will include funding to recruit the additional staff needed to operate the centre around the clock. Once the team is in place, the facility will begin providing uninterrupted medical care to the community.
Speaking to residents, President Dr Muizzu expressed confidence that all projects currently underway on the island will be completed successfully, ensuring steady development across the board. He emphasised the importance of the island's land reclamation initiative, confirming that in line with a presidential pledge, 14.5 hectares will be reclaimed, addressing the island's longstanding land shortage.
The President also announced that under the first phase of the nationwide school air-conditioning programme, all classrooms and staff rooms across island schools will be air-conditioned by the start of the next academic year. In Maroshi, the school hall will also receive air-conditioning, and a new multi-purpose hall will be constructed under next year's budget.
He stated that the Maroshi road development project will include additional roads to improve connectivity and ease of movement across the island. The upgrades will address existing barriers that currently limit access from key routes, with extra lanes to be incorporated where permissible under the project scope.
During the meeting, one resident raised a concern that the island had long felt overlooked in terms of development and urged the government to ensure the newly launched projects are completed without delay. In response, the President reaffirmed his commitment to delivering all development initiatives on time.
As part of the President’s visit, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the island’s Fitness and Recreation Centre, contracted to Fenaka Corporation Limited. The new facility will feature indoor sports areas, board games, administrative offices, classrooms, and a meeting room.
The President also attended the inauguration of the Maroshi Road Development Project. The project will enhance transportation infrastructure, improve connectivity, and support the island’s continued growth and accessibility. He also presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the Police Station on Maroshi, part of the administration’s commitment to decentralising services and ensuring the safety of citizens nationwide. The groundbreaking of the new Council Secretariat in Maroshi, a project that will create better facilities for local administration and community services, was also attended by the President.