Minister of Health, Abdulla Ameen has revealed the ministry’s plan to develop five more hospitals across the outlying atolls to the same level as hospitals in capital city Malé.
At a press conference on Sunday, Minister Ameen said that the current government highly prioritizes expanding development of the health sector across the country without limiting it to just one region.
As such, Minister Ameen revealed that health centers in different islands across the country will be developed similar to hospitals in Malé and in the near future will offer the same services, with quality equipment.
Further, he said that for now, they have allocated development projects for five hospitals:
1. Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital
2. Ungoofaaru Regional Hospital
3. Dr. Abdul Samad Memorial Hospital
4. Gan Regional Hospital and
5. Hithadhoo Regional Hospital
The minister further added that they have begun work to develop health centers in nine more islands into hospitals by opening bidding opportunities.
Highlighting that the ministry is also working to expand the health sector by providing ambulance services to over 70 islands with either international aid or the ministry’s budget by the end of 2019, Minister Ameen assured that the people will see a “desirable change”.
“It will not be a lie to say there are no ambulance services at all. It has not been included in this year’s budget to provide ambulance services, however, we will, through our budget or through international aid, provide ambulance services to over 70 islands this year,”Minister Ameen
Further, shedding light on the number of consultations which reach over 7,000 across health centers in 187 outlying islands on an average, Minister Ameen said that they are also working to bring in and train more doctors, specialists and nurses as part of the government’s efforts to improve and provide equal health facilities and services across the outlying atolls as well.
