Maldives Establishes Unified Body to Run All Tertiary Hospitals Under Single Board

In a major restructuring of the country's health system, the government has established a new entity, the Maldives Tertiary Hospitals Group (MTHG), to oversee the administration of all tertiary hospitals under a single governing board. The President's Office announced that this move introduces a hybrid centralized model for hospital operations, paving the way for government hospital services to be provided under one umbrella. With the formation of the MTHG, the existing governing boards of several hospitals have been abolished. This includes the Malé City Group of Hospitals (MCGH), which previously managed hospitals in the Malé area, as well as the boards of Kulhudhuffushi Hospital, Ungoofaaru Hospital, Lhaviyani Atoll Gan Hospital, Gnaviyani Atoll Thinoos Dr. Abdussamad Memorial Hospital, and Addu Equatorial Hospital. "The governing board of the Maldives Tertiary Hospitals Group will be an answerable board under the guidance of the President of the Republic and will operate in coordination with the Health Ministry. The affairs of this board will be directly overseen by the Principal Secretary to the President for Tertiary Health Services at the President's Office," the government stated. Dr. Abdul Aziz Yusuf, a veteran health sector professional, has been appointed as the chairperson of the newly formed 18-member governing board. Hussein Haleem was appointed as the vice chairperson. Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, CEO of Darmaavantu Hospital, is also a member of the board. Under the new group, administrative matters of Darmaavantu Hospital, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), Hulhumalé Hospital, and Vilimalé Hospital will be managed. The Maldivian Blood Service and the Thalassaemia Centre will also operate under the supervision of this group. Additionally, the operation of Fuvahmulah Hospital has been brought under the MTHG.