President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to upgrade the 30-bed health center currently under construction in Thoddoo, Alif Alif Atoll, to a hospital.

Speaking at a community meeting with residents of Thoddoo, Muizzu said that based on assessments by technical experts from the Ministry of Health, it is feasible to incorporate key medical facilities, such as an operating theater and an intensive care unit (ICU), to meet the criteria for hospital status.

The construction of the health center began during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. It is part of a broader initiative funded through the Kuwait Fund to establish 30-bed health facilities in various regions across the Maldives. The Kuwait Fund provided grant assistance for the development of similar hospitals in seven islands nationwide.

Following the change in administration, the current government has made efforts to portray the Kuwait Fund-backed health projects as a new initiative under its leadership. In doing so, officials claimed the fund had been returned and re-secured, an assertion that appears to contradict previous statements.

Former Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer clarified that the aid was never returned, directly contradicting a statement made in Parliament by then-Health Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel. The bid for the 30-bed health center in Thoddoo, which is part of this Kuwait Fund initiative, was officially opened on April 6, 2023.

During a recent visit to Thoddoo, Muizzu announced that practical work on the island’s road paving project, using stone materials, will begin shortly, with completion expected soon. He also confirmed that the installation of lights on the football ground, as well as the development of a fitness and recreation center and an outdoor gym, are planned for this year.

Positioning Thoddoo as a key agricultural hub, the president said that construction of a dedicated building for the Maldives National University’s Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science, set to be based on the island, will also begin in the near future.

To further bolster Thoddoo’s economy, particularly its tourism and agricultural sectors, Muizzu announced the establishment of a seaplane platform on the island. Scheduled seaplane flights to and from Thoddoo are expected to commence in February next year.