The Ministry of Finance and Planning has instructed Hulhumalé Hospital to stop accepting Maldivian Rufiyaa notes for its services, forcing all payments to be made through online or card transactions.

Patients visiting the hospital in recent days have reported being turned away when attempting to pay in cash. Staff have informed them that physical currency is no longer accepted, though no official public announcement has been issued regarding this abrupt policy change.

Hospital officials confirmed that the directive came directly from the finance ministry but did not provide any explanation for the decision. As a result, all service payments must now be processed via digital platforms or bank cards.

The change has drawn criticism from patients and members of the public, who point out that many Maldivians, especially the elderly, do not have access to smartphones, internet banking, or debit cards. Critics warn that the policy could exclude vulnerable groups from accessing essential healthcare, particularly in emergency situations when digital payment options are impractical or unavailable.

The suspension of cash payments at Hulhumalé Hospital appears to be part of a wider government shift toward digital transactions. Reports indicate that other state-run service providers have also stopped accepting currency notes in recent months. Meanwhile, the government continues to promote its initiative to install ATMs across all inhabited islands in partnership with local banks, a project aimed at expanding access to financial services but one that remains incomplete.

The lack of transparency surrounding the finance ministry’s directive and the absence of public communication on a change affecting one of the country’s main hospitals have intensified concerns about the administration’s disregard for accessibility and preparedness in implementing nationwide policy shifts.