The Ministry of Health has contracted a company for the architectural drawings and to prepare the bill of quantities for the development of five health centers into hospitals.

During a ceremony held at the ministry on Wednesday, a leading architectural design firm, ArchEng Studio Private Limited was contracted the project for the building design of hospitals in five islands.

The health centers to be developed to hospitals are in Haa Alif Ihavandhoo, Lhaviyani Hinnavaru, Gaaf Dhaal Gadhdhoo and Alif Dhaal Maamigili.

The company is to complete the building design for the hospital in Maamigili within 63 days, while the other three projects were given 66 days to complete.

Prices set for the building designs:

1. MVR 112,255 for the Ihavandhoo project,

2. MVR 135،000 for the Hinnavaru project,

3. MVR 107،752 for the Gadhdhoo project and

4. MVR 122،070 for the Maamigili project

In addition, the ministry also contracted Epoch Associates for the building design in Raa Thimarafushi health center, to be completed within 60 days for a price of MVR 147,953.

The ceremonies were joined by the Members of Parliament for all five constituencies.

The designing contracts were signed by Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen.

The ministry further assured that once the designs are completed and once the development work concludes, the islands will have access to gynecology services, children’s specialists, and surgeons among many services like orthodontics, dialysis, scanning services as well as ultra-sounding.

The hospitals will have a labor room, five wards as well as six private rooms each.