Government-funded projects to construct 30-bed hospitals in Haa Alif Ihavandhoo and Raa Meedhoo are set to be transferred from the Road Development Corporation (RDC) to another state contractor due to execution delays, Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Geela Ali stated at the public Ahaa forum on Sunday night.
During the session, residents from both islands questioned the administration regarding the status of pledged healthcare facilities, citing geographic isolation, financial burdens, and delays in fulfilling presidential commitments.
In response to a query from an Ihavandhoo resident detailing the travel strain on local families forced to navigate the Gallandhoo Channel to seek medical attention at facilities in Dhidhdhoo, Kulhudhuffushi, Malé, or abroad, Minister Geela stated that initial ground works under the agreement signed with RDC in 2025 had progressed below anticipated timelines.
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She attributed the slow pace to global supply chain disruptions arising from conflict in the Middle East, alongside institutional and contractual difficulties encountered during execution.
To address the backlog, the government decided to reallocate a series of delayed RDC health infrastructure contracts to the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). Minister Geela noted that the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare is actively pursuing the required legal and administrative procedures to complete the transfer and formalise new agreements with MTCC.
Addressing a subsequent question regarding a hospital project pledged for Raa Meedhoo, the Minister confirmed that the project was also originally contracted to RDC and is undergoing the same legal reassignment process to MTCC.
The Minister stated that upon finalisation of the legal transfer, development of the Meedhoo facility is estimated to reach completion by November next year.
