Minister of Health Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has revealed that numerous hospital development projects will commence next year.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Khaleel said the country's healthcare services can only be expanded by developing infrastructure and establishing the necessary resources under an all-encompassing strategy. As such, he said that the tertiary hospital being built in Gan, Laamu Atoll, will significantly improve mental health services.
Additionally, Minister Khaleel said that the development of the Abdul Samad Memorial Hospital will begin soon and that drafting the paper on the development of a cancer hospital in the Greater Male' Region is underway, adding that funds have been secured. He also noted that a Chinese contractor has begun the development of Villimale' Hospital.
Furthermore, Minister Khaleel said many of the services needed in the atoll hospitals are not available and that the government has begun work to establish laboratories on 64 islands, highlighting the importance of laboratory services. He expressed confidence that these projects will solve many of the challenges faced in the health sector. He added that the government also plans to develop human resources and aims to develop medical tourism in the Maldives.