Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muiz announced that work to develop the Equatorial Convention Centre (ECC) in Addu City as a tertiary hospital will commence this year.
The government earlier decided to transform the ECC into the proposed 100-bed tertiary hospital.
The project is funded through loan aid of US$12.5 million from the Saudi Fund for Development, and US$8.5 million from the OPEC Fund for Development (OFID).
The development of a 100-bed tertiary hospital in Addu City is an electoral pledge of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
img:http://s1.psmnews.mv/images/660x400/14710940238397.jpg|Equatorial Convention Centre (ECC) in Addu City - FILE Photo: Ali Rilwan / Flickr
Dr. Muiz said the transformation of the ECC in Hithadhoo Island into a hospital would benefit the people of Addu Atoll.
He said the project would be completed in 18-months.
The ECC was developed in 2011 to host the SAARC Summit.