While Maafushi is located only 30 minutes away from the capital city, in times of dire health situations it is extremely inconvenient for patients to cross the ocean in order to get treatment.
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During his visit to K. Maafushi, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih vowed that the current administration will be turning the Maafushi health centre into a hospital. This announcement comes ahead of the upcoming by-election of the Parliament seat, to be held on Saturday, 15 April 2023.
Maafushi is a local tourist island, which is popular among both locals and tourists alike. Located near the capital city of Male’, Maafushi is one of the only local islands where visitors are able to find high-end guest houses which allow locals and visitors to vacation at a resort-like estalishment, but at a more affordable price.
Even though Maafushi has accomplished great economic development milestones over the years, one sector that is yet to develop - is the health sector. Hospitals are categorized into three different sectors, the ‘health centre’ in Maafushi falls under the lowest category as only a few basic services are available at health centres. While things such as basic check-ups and treatment for minor colds and fevers might be available, for more serious cases local citizens and visitors would have to travel to nearby hospitals such as the one located in Male’ City.
For more than one reason, this is not the best option, especially on an island which is filled to the brim with visitors, especially during the peak season. With the island being one of the most fun-filled local islands in the Maldives, overtime the need for the development of a good hospital has become more important than ever.
As locals as well as guests spend the majority of their visit to Maafushi partaking in watersports activities or spending time at the beach, the need to have a hospital that can cater to more severe accidents with doctors and facilities which can provide treatment for locals without having to spend thousands travelling to and staying at another island has become extremely important.
While Maafushi is located only 30 minutes away from the capital city, in times of dire health situations it is extremely inconvenient for patients to cross the ocean in order to get treatment.
In addition to locals and visitors, Maafushi also homes to one of the biggest correctional facilities in the Maldives, making it extremely important to find easier ways to get health-care treatment for inmates. As of now, inmates located in Maafushi prison, just like visitors and locals are required to get treatment elsewhere due to the lack of resources on the island.
During his speech given at the rally hosted in Maafushi, the President noted that the Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure as well as the Ministry of Finance have been tasked with allocating the necessary budget for the development of an operation theatre in the efforts to develop the health centre into a hospital.
