National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) has stated efforts are underway to transfer the operations of Tree Top Hospital to the government for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the daily press briefing, Spokesperson of NEOC Mohamed Mabrook Azeez said the decision to transfer the operations of the hospital to the government for COVID-19 operations was already made before, noting an agreement had been signed which allows the hospital to be handed over to the government if needed. Mabrook said the government has requested the management of Tree Top to hand over the hospital for 3 months, in accordance with the agreement. He said efforts to transfer the operations of the hospital are underway, adding patients currently seeking treatment at the hospital will be transferred to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).
Tree Top Hospital is one of the largest private investments in the Maldives, with over USD 80 million invested to develop the facility. The hospital provides services on par with some of the best hospitals in the region.
COVID-19 patients in the Maldives who require intensive care are currently being treated at Dharumavantha Hospital. Facilities are being developed across the atolls to treat COVID-19 patients who test positive in the atolls.
In addition, a 300-bed isolation facility is being developed in front of Tree Top Hospital in Hulhumale' to treat COVID-19 patients.