Maldives is to establish its first ever housing programme targeting elders left without care.

During his address at the year's inaugural parliament sitting on Thursday, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said that his government is working to develop an 'elderly home' to meet the housing and care needs of senior citizens.

In addition, Solih said that a National Mental Health Center will be established within two to three months, for the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.

While it is to be established at the state-run Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), the president assured that no expenses will be spared. He added that a mental health bill will also be submitted to parliament, in order to further ensure the protection of those suffering from mental illnesses.

He also vowed to establish a system across the country, where individuals can do serum protein electrophoresis to identity Thalassemia patients.

Rental control

The president also vowed to boost rental controls to address the skyrocketing costs to lease homes, especially in the capital.

As such, he noted that a company- National Housing Corporation- is to be established in order to address all housing issues, and that the aim is to find a solution to the high rental prices.

President Solih also emphasized that two bills related to housing and shelter issues are to be submitted to parliament; a tenancy act and a condominium act.

He also revealed plans to develop additional 4,000 housing units in Hulhumalé, as well as 550 in the outer lying atolls.

Furthermore, noting that severity of congestion in capital Malé, the president announced the decision to not develop any government offices in the city.