Ministry of Health has signed agreements with contractors for the construction of extension buildings to increase the space of four health centres in Shaviyani Atoll and Alifu Alifu Atoll.
The health ministry signed the agreements to upgrade the health centres in Feevah, Narudhoo, Lhaimagu in Shaviyani Atoll, and Mathiveri in Alifu Alifu Atoll. As such, the ministry contracted Clay Limited Liability Partnership to construct an extension building for Narudhoo and Lhaimagu. The company is tasked with completing the project within five months at a cost of USD273,145 for Narudhoo and USD273,144.46 for Lhaimagu. The project includes the construction of the building required for the expansion of the hospital space and the portico of the building for both islands.
Furthermore, the health ministry has contracted Pastline Private Limited to construct an extension building for Feevah. The company is tasked with completing the project within five months at a cost of USD238,590.
Meanwhile, the ministry has also contracted Riza Private Limited to construct an extension building for Mathiveri. The company is tasked with completing the project within five months at a cost of USD310,680.
The government has aimed to improve the quality of health centres and expand services in the atolls, including the construction of extension buildings to increase the space and development of health centres in large populated islands to the hospital levels. The main purpose of the objective is to complete the health care system for common health diseases in the islands and expansion of specialist services and establish laboratories for testing common diseases in the atolls.
Some health centres in the islands are open 16 hours a day. The government has aimed to expand the services of health centres to 24 hours a day once the redevelopment projects are completed.
The government has been providing resources and developing health facilities in the atolls as part of the efforts to reduce the reliance on the Greater Male’ Region for health services. The government has also been working to reform the salary structure of health workers to retain experienced professionals in the atolls.