The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has pledged to complete construction of a new hospital in Thulhaadhoo, Baa Atoll, by the end of this year, a project seen as vital to addressing longstanding gaps in healthcare provision across the region.
The island’s more than 3,100 residents have long voiced frustration over the absence of adequate medical facilities. In response to these concerns, the government launched the development of a modern hospital on 24 July 2023. The contract initially set an 18‑month timeline for completion, but MTCC has conceded that progress has been slower than anticipated owing to a range of impediments. The company has now committed to intensifying efforts to ensure the facility is delivered within the current year.
Construction teams are presently engaged in masonry and cement plastering, said MTCC. The hospital, designed as a two‑storey structure, carries a project valuation of USD 8.05 million. Once completed, it will provide 30 beds and be equipped with contemporary medical resources. The project also includes a dedicated accommodation block within the hospital complex, intended to support staff and operations.
The hospital’s completion is regarded as critical for Baa Atoll, a region distinguished by its concentration of luxury resorts but constrained by limited healthcare infrastructure. At present, the primary hospital serving the atoll is located on the island of Eydhafushi. Residents of Thulhaadhoo have long viewed the establishment of an additional hospital as a significant milestone in the island’s development, and one that will strengthen healthcare provision across the atoll.
Patients in Thulhaadhoo requiring medical care are frequently compelled to travel to Eydhafushi or to the capital, Malé. This reliance on distant facilities has imposed logistical challenges and considerable financial burdens, particularly when treatment abroad becomes necessary.