In just two years, the Maldives has undertaken sweeping reforms across its healthcare sector, shifting services beyond the capital and strengthening access to care throughout the islands.
Under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s administration, advanced diagnostic facilities such as MRI, CT scans and radiology services have been introduced to hospitals in outer atolls, reducing the long-standing dependence on Malé for specialized testing. Plans are also underway to complete 76 new laboratories across islands by the end of the year, bringing essential diagnostics closer to communities.
These upgrades are part of 168 healthcare projects currently in progress nationwide. A key development includes the construction of a 100-bed tertiary hospital in Villimalé, funded by China. The government has also established the State Pharmaceutical Corporation to secure a reliable, quality-assured supply of medicines across the country.
Addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, particularly kidney-related illnesses, dialysis services have been expanded to nine additional locations. This has eased the financial and travel challenges faced by patients who previously had to journey to the capital for regular treatment.
In Malé, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) has launched a dedicated multi-specialist surgical ward to manage complex procedures, while Dharumavantha Hospital is now fully operational, providing state-funded IVF and advanced fertility treatments.
Emergency medical capacity has also improved with the introduction of a national air ambulance service, completing over 1,500 evacuations to date. Meanwhile, support services for thalassemia patients have advanced with the opening of the Maldives’ first government-run DNA laboratory.
Public health initiatives have progressed alongside infrastructure development. The administration has implemented measures aimed at reducing tobacco use, including a ban on vaping and the establishment of cessation clinics offering subsidized nicotine replacement therapies. Mental health support has been strengthened through a 24-hour helpline and expanded clinical services across the atolls.
International recognition has followed these efforts. The World Health Organization (WHO) commended President Muizzu for leadership in tobacco control and certified the Maldives as the first country to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B simultaneously.
The expansion of services has also boosted employment within the sector, generating more than 1,700 new healthcare jobs.
Looking ahead, the government has introduced the “Maldives 2.0” digital transformation initiative to modernize patient records and health data systems. An additional USD 3.24 million has been allocated to enhance services for persons with disabilities, reinforcing the administration’s focus on accessible and equitable healthcare nationwide.
