Construction of Kendhikulhudhoo 30-bed tertiary hospital stalled due to funding issues, says Council President Rauf
The progress of this project, conducted under a contractor finance model, has been delayed due to difficulties in securing bank funding; consequently, the workforce on-site has dwindled from approximately 100 employees to just eight. This stagnation has heightened concerns among the residents of Kendhikulhudhoo and neighboring islands, who had been anticipating improved access to essential healthcare services.
The 30-bed tertiary hospital, which commenced construction in Kendhikulhudhoo during the MDP administration. | RaajjeMV | Raajje MV
The President of the Kendhikulhudhoo Council, Mohamed Rauf, has stated that the construction of the 30-bed tertiary hospital—a project initiated during the MDP administration—has come to a standstill due to the current government's failure to secure the necessary funding.
The project to develop a 30-bed tertiary hospital in Kendhikulhudhoo was first announced in January 2023, with the foundation stone laid in August of the same year. However, since the change in administration, progress on the project has slowed down significantly. Speaking to RaajjeTV regarding the matter, the President of the Kendhikulhudhoo Council, Mohamed Rauf, noted that while work commenced in 2023 and concrete structural work had been progressing rapidly, there were concerns even then that the project might face delays following a change in government.
The Council President stated that work on the hospital project has stalled multiple times. He noted that while approximately 100 employees were previously engaged in the project, the workforce has now dwindled to just eight staff members.
This is a 193 million Rufiyaa project, awarded under a contractor financing model where the contractor is responsible for securing bank loans. According to the contractor, delays have arisen because the funds have not been released. They attribute this to recent changes within the bank's board and other administrative shifts within the government.Mohamed Rauf, President of the Kendhikulhudhoo Island Council
The Council President highlighted the hospital project as a vital initiative. He noted that residents are delighted to see work commence, as they have long hoped for access to quality healthcare services within their own island. He further stated that the project holds great promise not only for Kendhikulhudhoo but also for the residents of neighboring islands.
Rauf stated that although this project was not an initial presidential pledge of the MDP, it was secured for Kendhikulhudhoo due to the significant priority the party accorded to the island during its administration. He further noted that while there were high hopes that the project would alleviate the long-standing challenges faced in the healthcare sector, the work remains unfinished.
