President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to upgrade the Maabaidhoo Health Centre to provide 24-hour services starting next year.
He made the announcement during a community meeting in Maabaidhoo, held as part of his ongoing visit to the inhabited islands of Laamu Atoll.
Earlier in the day, the President met with the members of the Maabaidhoo Island Council, the Women’s Development Committee (WDC), and heads of local institutions to discuss the island’s key development priorities. During the meeting, council members outlined several major development priorities for the island. They highlighted the need for shore protection, electricity provision for newly inhabited areas, and upgrading the island’s health centre to a 24-hour facility.
Council members also raised concerns about space constraints at the school, noting that two additional classrooms, a multi-purpose hall, and a science laboratory were urgently required. They further emphasised the need for a new Council Secretariat, an indoor volleyball court, a badminton court, and the provision of RTL and WAMCO services in the atoll and island respectively. The President assured that these concerns raised would be addressed.
At the community meeting that followed, the President confirmed that the 2026 national budget will include allocations to recruit the additional staff required for the upgraded 24-hour health centre.
Although several inauguration and groundbreaking ceremonies scheduled in Maabaidhoo were cancelled due to heavy rainfall, including the inauguration of a Bank of Maldives ATM, the commencement of physical works for a 25-tonne ice plant, and the groundbreaking for a branch of the Centre for the Holy Qur’an and a Fitness and Recreation Centre, the President reassured the public that all initiatives would proceed as planned.
Recognising the need for continued development, President Dr Muizzu affirmed that his Administration will address Maabaidhoo’s electricity challenges through the expedited installation of a new generator. The President further announced that the construction of the Police Station is scheduled to begin this year.
During the meeting, agreements were signed for three significant development projects in Maabaidhoo. The scope of the agreements includes the Maabaidhoo shore protection project, the construction of a multi-purpose hall at Laamu Atoll School, and the comprehensive development of the island's football ground. Furthermore, President Dr Muizzu presented a commemorative plaque from the Bank of Maldives to the Maabaidhoo Island Council.
Regarding the implementation timeline, the President assured that all signed projects are scheduled to commence soon, with some initiatives expected to be completed within a one-year timeframe. He reaffirmed the administration's steadfast commitment to delivering on its promises to the island's community.