On Thursday, Road Development Corporation (RDC) and Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), have been awarded contracts for the development of several island health centres.
RDC will undertake the construction of additional buildings for two health centres, while MTCC has been contracted for the construction of four health centres.
The Health Ministry signed agreements with RDC for the development of new buildings at health centres in Baarah and Maarandhoo, both located in Haa Alif atoll. State Minister Ismail Shareef signed on behalf of the ministry, and RDC Managing Director Ibrahim Nazeem signed on behalf of the company. These projects, costing MVR 11.5 million each, will expand the health centres to include a ward, nursing booth, laboratory, procedure room, private rooms, garage, and warehouse.
MTCC's contracts involve adding buildings to health centres in K. Huraa and V. Fulidhoo, and constructing new buildings at health centres in K. Kashidhoo and A. Dh. Dhidhoo. State Minister Ismail Abdulla signed on behalf of the Ministry, with MTCC Managing Director Mohamed Jamsheed signing for the company.
The Ministry of Health awarded MTCC the contract for the Fulidhoo health centre at MVR 27 million and the Huraa health centre at MVR 27.2 million, both slated for completion within a year.
Additionally, MTCC will undertake the expansion of the A. Dh. Dhidhoo health centre, which will include a public health unit, multipurpose hall, ward, nurses' booth, laboratory, procedure room, private rooms, garage, and warehouse, at a cost of MVR 12 million, to be completed within nine months.
The Kaashidhoo health centre project, awarded to MTCC for MVR 7.1 million, will add a ward, nursing booth, laboratory, procedure room, private room, garage, and warehouse.
In a separate development, Chartered Engineering, a private company, has been awarded a contract worth MVR 917,484 to upgrade the Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital to a tertiary level.
The government has faced criticism regarding the awarding of projects to state-owned companies, with concerns raised about adherence to the companies' mandates.