The Ministry of Finance has re-opened for bidding on the hospital development projects to be carried out with financial assistance from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.
The projects consist of developing 30-bed hospitals in seven islands. They are Hanimaadhoo in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Milandhoo in Shaviyani Atoll, Velidhoo in Noonu Atoll, Thulusdhoo in Kaafu Atoll, Maamigili in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, Felidhoo in Vaavu Atoll and Vilufushi in Thaa Atoll.
The finance ministry will be carrying out the bidding process under the international competitive bidding process. Interested parties are required to register with the ministry by December 28. The bidding documents and related information are available on the ministry’s website. The bidder is required to submit a bid security of USD35,000 for each project.
Speaking at the Parliament in October, Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer said the projects were to be re-opened for bidding after the National Tender Board deemed that the proposals submitted for the hospital development projects were too costly.
The government is making efforts to strengthen the health sector in the Maldives. According to the Ministry of Health, a total of 21 Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) projects were completed in the past four years including projects to increase the space of hospitals and health centres. There are currently 32 projects ongoing, with 25 projects in the tender stage. The budget for next year includes USD36 million for the construction of new buildings for health centres and hospitals on various islands in the country.