Health Minister Pledges Completion of All Nationwide Hospital Projects This Term

The Minister of Health, Family and Welfare, Geela Ali, has assured the Maldivian Parliament that all ongoing hospital development projects across the country will be completed within the current administration's term to expand healthcare access for citizens. Addressing the Majlis (Parliament) on June 24, Minister Geela revealed that 159 health sector projects are currently underway. This comprehensive effort includes the construction of 39 new hospitals and the expansion of 94 health centers. While acknowledging that some projects have faced delays, the Minister stated that the government is actively resolving these challenges to resume stalled work within the month. Specific timelines were provided for several critical facilities. The Thinadhoo hospital is expected to be ready by the first quarter of next year, followed by the Hoarafushi hospital in the second quarter. Additionally, health centers in Goidhoo and Kanditheemu are slated for completion within this term. In the south, work on the Addu Equatorial Hospital is scheduled to begin in August, while the Himmafushi Health Centre is currently being staffed and upgraded. To support this infrastructure surge, the government is aggressively expanding its healthcare workforce. After recruiting 1,700 employees last year, the Ministry plans to hire an additional 1,900 staff members this year to ensure new facilities are fully operational upon completion. Minister Geela noted that the Maldives' healthcare system historically grew without a cohesive long-term strategy, leading to systemic gaps. She emphasized that the current administration is correcting this by implementing a structured approach to health services across the atolls, utilizing a tiered system of regional hospitals and general practitioner clinics to bring specialized care closer to local communities.