The Ministry of Health has stated that cesarean services will be made available in Vaavu Atoll with the construction of the atoll's hospital in V. Felidhoo.

As it has been 14 years since anyone has given birth in Vaavu Atoll, the smallest atoll in Maldives, a health official told Mihaaru News that there used to be births at the Felidhoo Hospital. However, the official said that there has been a lack of doctors due to pregnant women not going to the hospital to give birth.

The other reason is a lack of an operation theater.

The government signed an agreement with MTCC on 12th March 2025 to construct the new building at Felidhoo. The project will see an expenditure of more than MVR 105 million.

The official went on to say that once the construction of the new building for a Grade 1 hospital is complete and cesarean services are offered, all of the services offered will be at Grade 1.

"We do not receive cesarean cases for a month, even two months and because of this, doctors face many difficulties in staying at the island," said the official.

According to the official, the government has planned to rotate doctors, including doctors from Vaavu Atoll, and rotate them in islands where it is difficult to consult with doctors and to begin treatment.

This means that doctors will spend one month at the hospital and change to another.

"The government has plans to bring doctors from Male' and other hospitals close by such as Meemu Regional Hospital and Faafu Atoll Hospital to the Felidhoo Hospital and make arrangements for them to work there within a system where services can continue. It will be done within this term," the official said.

An official from the hospital said that even though cesarean services cannot be offered from the hospital, it is still possible to undergo natural childbirth at the hospital. As pregnant women do not go to the hospital even for that service, there have been no births at the hospital in recent years.