Minister of Finance Moosa Zameer has announced that a portion of the state budget has been allocated for the development of five hospitals, including the Cancer Hospital and the Mental Health Hospital. While the greatest portion of the budget is allocated for housing, the second-greatest portion is of the budget is allocated for the health sector.
The budget includes funds for the development of five hospitals, aiming to reduce the number of patients travelling abroad to receive medical treatment. The government stated that the development of these projects will commence with the budget, revealing plans to complete the developmental initiatives by 2027.
The hospitals which are to be developed under the budget includes, the development of Cancer Hospital in Hulhumale', the development of the Thalassemia and Organ Transplant Hospital, which a bed capacity of 100 beds and the development of hospital specialised for women and children in Hulhumale' Phase I. Additionally, it includes the establishment of Vilimale' Tertiary Hospital and further development to Hulhumale' Hospital.
Proposing the state-budget to the Parliament, Minister Zameer stressed that the current health system is not capable of providing adequate treatment for diseases such as cancer. He further highlighted the lack of facilities to provide mental health treatment as well. The government expressed optimism in the development of the five hospitals, noting that it will play a significant role in addressing the long waiting times for consultation.
The government aims to establish clinics across the Greater Male' Region, in which general consultations can be sought, reducing the demand to consult specialist doctors. Under this policy, it targets to develop an efficient system which allows consulting specialists and super specialists as well. The budget additionally includes funds to expand primary health care services.