Ministry of Health signs agreement for the Construction of Private Rooms at HDh. Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital

As part of the government's ongoing commitment to strengthening and expanding healthcare services across the nation, a contract has been awarded to Altec Maldives Private Limited to develop a specialized facility featuring private rooms and isolation capabilities in HDh. Kulhudhuffushi.

The project is valued at MVR 53,560,648.01 (Fifty-three million, five hundred and sixty thousand, six hundred and forty-eight Rufiyaa and one Laari), with a projected completion timeline of 435 days.

The agreement was officially signed today, 27th January 2026, during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Health. Minister of State for Health, Khadeeja Abdul Samad Abdulla, signed on behalf of the Ministry, while General Manager Hussain Thasmeen represented Altec Maldives.

This significant infrastructure project is funded by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), marking the bank’s first standalone project in the Maldives.

Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital (KRH) stands as the busiest healthcare institution in the Maldives outside the Greater Malé Region. It serves as a vital medical hub for residents of Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu, and Shaviyani Atolls, while also attracting patients from across the country due to its comprehensive range of specialist and super-specialist services, as well as its surgical capabilities.

Currently, patients requiring admission at KRH are accommodated in general wards. This often presents challenges for both patients and their companions, particularly those traveling from other islands for long-term treatment. The lack of private accommodations often means companions have no adequate space to rest, forcing families to rent private lodgings within the island. This issue is particularly acute for those recovering from major surgeries.

Furthermore, the hospital currently lacks dedicated facilities to isolate patients during outbreaks of communicable diseases, such as COVID-19. Kulhudhuffushi also serves as a key educational center for medical students' community modules and various healthcare training programs. However, due to the absence of dedicated on-site space, these sessions are often conducted in the hospital’s conference room, government halls, or rented external venues. Despite overseeing over 700 employees including the staff from Atoll health facilities, KRH currently lacks sufficient resources for staff training and large-scale community workshops, often relying on local school halls for such events.

The new facility established under this agreement will feature 14 private rooms designed to accommodate both the patient and a companion, with each room including an en-suite bathroom. The facility will cater to moderate, critical, and special-needs patients. In addition to private rooms, the building will house a dialysis room, emergency room, medical and general stores, nurse stations, autoclave rooms, administrative and briefing rooms, utility rooms, a tea room, donning and doffing areas, and a dedicated prayer room. A multi-purpose hall will also be located on the first floor.

The establishment of these private rooms will significantly alleviate the difficulties faced by patients and families traveling from across the atolls, ensuring a more comfortable and dignified environment for long-term care. It will also allow for the safe isolation of infectious patients without disrupting general hospital operations. Additionally, the facility will provide a dedicated space for medical education, professional staff training, and large-scale community health workshops.

The government’s primary objective remains ensuring accessible healthcare for all citizens and reducing the heavy reliance on Malé by expanding and enhancing the quality of medical services provided in the regional atolls.