Holhudhoo Health Centre has inaugurated a dedicated medical work permit service, marking a significant step towards decentralising and streamlining essential health services for the expatriate community. The facility was launched at a ceremony attended by Minister of State for Health Ahmed Gasim.
The initiative forms part of the government’s broader policy to expand access to mandatory medical check-ups for foreign workers beyond the capital, Malé. All expatriates working in the Maldives are required to obtain a work permit, for which a certified medical report is mandatory.
With the introduction of this service, Holhudhoo becomes the third island in Noonu Atoll to provide work permit medical services, following similar rollouts in Manadhoo and Velidhoo.
A health centre official said the decentralised service will eliminate the need for residents and employers on Holhudhoo and nearby islands to travel long distances to complete the required process.
Appointments for medical examinations can be scheduled daily between 9:00am and 12:00pm, with services available three to five days a week. The launch follows several recent upgrades at the health centre, including the introduction of X-ray services and the deployment of specialised doctors in paediatrics and internal medicine.
From 2024 onwards, all foreign work permits are processed upon submission of the required medical report through the online Expat system. Individuals entering the Maldives on a work permit entry pass are also required to submit their medical report through the system within 15 days of arrival.