The Maldivian government is preparing to launch an ambitious expansion of Hulhumalé Hospital with the construction of a new 10-storey medical facility, according to Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, Chief Executive Officer of the Malé City Group of Hospitals. The project is a key component of a broader strategy to upgrade healthcare infrastructure across the capital region.
Speaking during an appearance on PSM News’ “Raajje Miadhu” programme, Abdul Razzaq outlined a sweeping development agenda that includes Hulhumalé Hospital, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), Dharumavantha Hospital, and Villimalé Hospital — all of which fall under the purview of the hospital group serving the greater Malé area.
The centrepiece of the plan is a 10-storey building to be constructed on a vacant plot adjacent to Hulhumalé Hospital. The facility is expected to include 250 fully equipped beds along with private patient rooms. The budget for the project is currently being finalized in coordination with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Infrastructure.
In parallel, a 28-bed ward is under development at the hospital, with completion expected before the end of this year.
At IGMH, the country’s flagship public hospital, expansion efforts are underway to increase bed capacity and modernize facilities. Abdul Razzaq revealed that plans are in motion to introduce cardiovascular surgeries and interventional radiology among several new specialist services.
Villimalé Hospital is also set for a complete transformation. Services will temporarily relocate to the former children’s shelter building while the current hospital is demolished to make way for a new, modern facility. The new hospital will be constructed with grant assistance from the Chinese government and will span two buildings. It will feature designated beds for outpatient, inpatient, emergency, ICU, diagnostic, and hemodialysis services.
Construction is anticipated to begin later this year or in early 2026.
Since November 2023, more than 560 healthcare professionals have been recruited across the four hospitals, with 75 percent being medical staff including doctors, nurses, and specialists. Abdul Razzaq emphasized that strengthening human resource capacity is central to the government’s health sector vision.
“Our goal is to build a robust healthcare system that minimizes the need for Maldivians to travel abroad for treatment,” he said, adding that IGMH and Dharumavantha Hospital now offer 32 specialist services.
The Malé City Group of Hospitals’ expansion initiative is part of a wider effort to ensure accessible, high-quality care within the country’s capital region, while reducing the strain on existing healthcare facilities and improving patient outcomes.
