Previous government planned to stop using existing Thinadhoo hospital: Minister Khaleel

Minister of Health Dr Abdulla Khaleel has said that in announcing that they would construct a new tertiary hospital in Gaafu Dhaalu atoll Thinadhoo, the previous government had intended to cease using the AbduSamad Memorial Hospital which had cost about a billion rufiya to build.

The Minister was summoned to Parliament today to clarify about the health centre planned for Noonu atoll Fohdhoo, where he also provided details about the tertiary hospital in Thinadhoo.

Asked by North Thinadhoo MP Saudhulla Hilmy if it is true that the previous government had signed an agreement to build a tertiary hospital in Thinadhoo as they had claimed, the Minister responded that this was a 'deception'. He said that showing the citizens that they had signed an agreement had been a political stunt in the run up to the Presidential Election.

Last August, a contract of USD 38 million was signed with China National Electric Engineering Company Limited to build 100 bed tertiary hospitals in Thinadhoo and Haa Dhaalu atoll Kulhudhuhfushi.

"This was done in a way to deceive the public. What they have signed is an MOU. What an MOU is for is, they sign it, research details, and come up with drawings. Which services will be provided, what will the prices be, how will the drawing be," the Minister explained.

Another concern raised by the Minister was his belief that the previous government planned to cease using the existing hospital, which in itself cost about a billion rufiya to build.

"What we see is that the existing facility is an investment of about a billion rufiya. What the former government planned to do is entirely stop the use of this billion rufiya building and establish an entirely new place," Khaleel said.

"What we must consider here is, when about a billion rufiya is going to waste, it is, in effect, the people's money."

The Minister went on to note that some services provided at AbduSamad Hospital have only been introduced recently. Hence, he questioned whether it is ideal to cast aside this building on which a billion was spent, and spend another billion on constructing new premises.

Khaleel assured that this government would gather public opinion before reaching any decision. He said that under the ministry's supervision, architects are now working on designing the tertiary hospital in a way that allows for the use of the existing hospital building as well.

Khaleel said that currently funding is being sourced for this hospital, and believes that work will commence on its construction by the end of the year.