Hospitals were designed with aesthetics in mind, not functionality: Khaleel

Minister of Health Dr Abdulla Khaleel has stated that the hospitals designed during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had been done more with aesthetics in mind, with 'fancy' designs that would have high costs, than with a focus on functionality.

In a press conference held at the Health Ministry of Thursday, Khaleel said that the former administration had contracted several different projects to various entities, amongst which are the 30 bed and 50 bed hospitals for different islands.

However, work had not commenced on these projects even when the Solih's term as President had ended last year, he said.

Khaleel said that currently, a research is being conducted on establishing hospitals on a needs basis.

He alleges that the hospital designs drafted by the former administration would be very expensive to construct.

Due to this, the government is now redesigning the aspects of hospitals he described as having being designed in 'fancy' ways, so as to offer convenience to both the State and the public.

"What the people want is for the services to be provided in their islands. To establish those services, we are bringing some structural changes. This will not cause any changes to the services that will be provided," Khaleel explained.

"If we look at the estimated costs now, a 50 bed hospital will cost more than MVR 185 million to build. As for a 30 bed hospital, the cost is between MVR 95 to 135 million."

The changes in design will bring a significant difference in the costs as well, the Minister said.

Khaleel said that with this in mind, the hospitals are being redesigned so as to bring down costs for the government, and at the same time be able to provide the services that the public expect from them.

He went on to say that once the costs of constructing the hospital building is brought down, the saving can be reassigned for infrastructure development projects that people seek in the islands.

"In the designs, there are some instances where there is accommodation included in the hospital or health center. For us, it is more important to not provide accommodation at the hospital itself, and instead have that money go to a citizen. Then that money will roll in the island's economy. Otherwise, even that money will be coming to the State," the Minister stated.

Although accommodation facilities will be omitted in order to save costs, the Minister said that in major tourism hubs, dedicated accommodation will be built for doctors. Khaleel said that seeking accommodation at moderate prices in such islands would prove challenging for doctors and medical staff.

"Rather than a needs basis, this has been done with some other focus. If we redesign these, the cost for the government goes down, and the public also gets income from this," Khaleel stated.