Implementation Agreement signed with China for Vilimale' Hospital

The Implementation Agreement, to determine a contractor, for the 100-bed hospital in Vilimale' to be developed through aid from China, has been signed today. 

A statement released by the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure revealed that the 'Implementation Agreement for the China-Maldives Friendship Hospital' was signed today in a ceremony held at the ministry. 

The agreement was signed by Minster Dr Abdulla Muththalib and Counselor at Embassy of China in the Maldives Zhang Xu. 

The Vilimale' Hospital is a tertiary hospital, planned to accommodate 112 beds, and will be developed in an area of 12,890sqft.

The ministry stated that:

- the hospital will provide outpatient and emergency treatment

- the hospital will have dedicated spaces for diagnosis and treatment

- the hospital will have medical wards, as well as administrative offices

- under the project, all medical equipment and furniture necessary to provide health services will be sourced

"This project is an important step to strengthen Maldives' health service system under the government's policy to provide convenient and high quality health services to the public," the ministry's statement reads. 

According to the ministry, the signing of the agreement will be followed by seeking a contractor under bidding to take on the project. The ministry estimates that construction of the hospital can be commenced as early as the third quarter of this year. 

Developing a tertiary level hospital in Vilimale' is a presidential pledge of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. China confirmed a grant to develop this hospital during President Muizzu's official visit to the country in January 2024.

The ministry said that the China-Maldives Friendship Hospital will raise China-Maldives relations to new heights, and prove to be an important monument of developing health services in the country. 

Feasibility studies and design work on the hospital has now been completed. The hospital will be located in the empty plot near the current Vilimale' Hospital.