The Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Geela Ali has stated that a plot has been arranged for the construction of a unit to conduct postmortems in Maldives, with the project having started as well.

Minister Geela stated this while answering a question posed by North Galolhu Constituency MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) during today's Parliament sitting, regarding whether there are any considerations or not establishing the capability in conducting postmortems, as there are no obstacles in doing so, state expenditure in going overseas to conduct postmortems and the reason why it is not being done in Maldives.

The minister said that the Male' City Group of Hospitals is currently working to establish a Level 2 Forensic Medical Unit in order to conduct postmortems. She also said that the plot that is required for the service has been arranged.

"When this unit is established, clinical forensic services, and a strong system for medico-legal services and postmortem services required for the Male' region and around all of Maldives will be facilitated," said Geela.

Services that will be provided by the unit

While work is being done to introduce the service, Minister Geela said that 23 bodies have been taken overseas in the last 10 years to conduct postmortems, and MVR 55,000 had to be spent per body.

A regulation was drawn up for postmortems to be conducted in Maldives in 2015. The regulation gives substantial power, with the police stating in 2021 that preparations to conduct postmortem services in Maldives had begun.

"I have always had the assurance this service would be conducted in Maldives. This is a developing country that works to provide professional services from around the world. This is a very important and useful industry for us," as was said previously by pathologist and former Inspector of Police Dr. Hassan Umar.