The Kuwait Fund has withdrawn funding for the construction of a 30-bed hospital in Shaviyani Milandhoo and some other hospital projects, Health Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has said.
Replying to a question by Milandhoo MP Ali Riza, Khaleel said the hospital project in Milandhoo was halted after the Kuwait Fund stopped funding. The project was launched by the former government.
He assured that the project would resume after requesting the Kuwait Fund to restore assistance or by securing funding through other means.
“The 30-bed hospital to be built in Milandhoo is also funded by the Kuwait Fund, but due to the withdrawal of the fund, or stopping of funds, the project has been halted," Khaleel said.
He added that a decision was taken late last year to carry out the project through funding from the state budget instead of the Kuwait Fund.
Meanwhile, Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abdulla Shafeeq said a 30-bed hospital project in Velidhoo was awarded to a company with the approval of the Kuwait Fund. He urged the minister to provide accurate information about the suspension of assistance from the Kuwait Fund.
Khaleel said he would clarify the information and provide an update at a later date.
Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef questioned why the assistance was withdrawn by the Kuwait Fund.
Khaleel said the International Fund withdrew assistance because the work was being carried out in violation of the fund's rules.
Responding to the minister's remarks, Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Easa said that if Maldives had violated the rules of the fund, it would not have been allowed to award the work to the contractor.
He reiterated calls on the minister to provide accurate information to the Parliament.
