The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has accused the current administration of halting 16 ongoing health sector projects initiated by the previous government.
In a press statement, the MDP responded to remarks by Health Minister Geela Ali, who claimed that 16 projects awarded during the MDP administration had stalled. The opposition countered that these projects were active and progressing until the current government intervened to stop them.
The MDP alleged that the administration terminated contracts with private firms to the detriment of the public, only to re-award the same projects to various State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) at higher costs.
Emphasizing that the projects were awarded following all necessary protocols through the National Tender Board of the Finance Ministry, the party stated that the "current incompetent administration" must take full responsibility for the losses incurred due to the termination of these agreements.
Some of the projects awarded during the MDP administration include:
- Haa Alif Ihavandhoo Hospital project
- Haa Alif Kelaa Hospital project
- Shaviyani Kanditheemu Health Center project
- Shaviyani Funadhoo Hospital project
- Raa Inguraidhoo Health Center project
- Faafu Feeali Health Center project
- Noonu Foddhoo Health Center project
- Noonu Kudafaree Health Center project
Furthermore, the MDP noted that after the government terminated agreements with an Indian contractor for the Kuwait Fund-aided hospital projects in Kaafu Thulusdhoo, Noonu Velidhoo, and Shaviyani Milandhoo last year, the contractor submitted a claim exceeding MVR 70 million in damages.
The opposition also highlighted that the current administration has halted work on the Laamu Gan Tertiary Hospital and Gadhdhoo Hospital projects, which were being developed by MTCC under a contractor finance model supported by Spain’s Exim Bank.
The party further claimed that while the previous government had secured USD 50 million from the Saudi Fund for Development for hospital projects in Alif Alif Rasdhoo, Noonu Manadhoo, and Fuvahmulah, the current administration has diverted these funds. They alleged the government decided to relocate the planned hospitals from Rasdhoo to Faafu Nilandhoo and from Manadhoo to Laamu Fonadhoo.
