President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the health sector will be the top priority in the 2026 state budget, which is set to be submitted to Parliament this week.
Speaking in Lhaviyani Atoll Naifaru on Monday evening, the President said the Cabinet has already approved the budget, and that his administration is committed to significantly increasing investment in healthcare.
“To prevent diseases from spreading, to prevent them from transmitting, to spend on preventive healthcare with high priority, and to invest in the country’s services so that when diseases do arise, people do not have to go abroad to get treatment for them,” he said.
President Muizzu noted that several initiatives aligned with this policy have already been implemented this year, and that key projects have been identified for the coming year as well. He emphasized that a healthy population is essential for the country’s economic and social development.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu visits therapy centre for children with special needs in Lh. Naifaru on October 27, 2025. (Photo/President's Office)
While next year’s budget will focus on health, this year’s budget has been heavily geared toward housing, one of the President’s flagship pledges. A former Housing Minister, Muizzu has promised to provide housing for every citizen over the age of 18 within five years.
Accordingly, more than MVR 3 billion was allocated for housing in the 2025 budget. However, government expenditure data as of October 16 shows that only MVR 164 million, just nine percent of the MVR 1.8 billion allocated for housing under the Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP), has been spent so far.
The housing crisis remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the Maldives.