Projects will be initiated in 90 islands this year, including 24 hospitals: Nazim

Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has announced today that projects to enhance health services will be initiated in 90 islands within the year, which includes the development of 24 hospitals.

The Health Ministry today signed agreements for the development as tertiary hospitals of R. Ungoofaaru Regional Hospital and GDh. Thinadhoo's AbduSamad Memorial Hospital, as well as the development of a labour room complex and ICU at the Lh. Naifaru Atoll Hospital.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister stated that recently, State companies have been contracted to build hospitals in ten islands and health centres in another ten islands.

With this, there are currently 19 hospitals and 15 health centres being developed, alongside the construction of new buildings and space expansion being conducted under 21 projects.

Nazim said that people on islands where the projects have not been contracted yet wish to know a date of commencement.

Addressing this, he said said if work proceeds as planned, development of new hospitals in 24 islands will be initiated within the year. In addition to this, development of five health centres, and 60 projects of expansion of health facilities are also planned for the year.

Nazim said that it is an important vision of the President to see health services expanded across the atolls.

"Especially to develop regional hospitals to have the capacity to provide tertiary level services. Subspeciality services need to be introduced there. They will be developed to provide tertiary level services such as nephrology, cardiology, cath lab and such," the minister said.

The minister said that development as tertiary hospitals will be carried out in two phases. The ministry has now commenced efforts to increase space and employ staff necessary to provide these services.