Maldives Secures USD 400,000 Phase 1 Grant to Strengthen Primary Healthcare

On the final day of the Maldives National Forum on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Minister of Health received confirmation that the Maldives has secured USD 400,000 in Phase 1 grant support from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), facilitated through the World Health Organization’s Health Impact Investment Platform (HIIP), to strengthen primary healthcare services and advance UHC.

This Phase 1 funding marks the beginning of a phased technical assistance program designed to revitalize primary healthcare delivery, enhance digital health systems, and integrate climate-resilient health services. Implementation over the next 18 months will focus on Seenu and Haa Dhaal atolls, including priority facilities such as Addu Equatorial Hospital and Kulhudhufushi Regional Hospital.

The initiative will support the adoption of a team-based primary healthcare model, strengthen referral systems between island health centers and regional hospitals, build workforce capacity, and improve the use of health information systems. Climate resilience considerations will ensure continuity of care despite environmental challenges.

The grant, provided under the WHO-led Health Impact Investment Platform, is fully grant-based with no repayment obligations, enabling the Maldives to develop costed, scalable health investment plans and mobilize sustainable financing without immediate borrowing commitments.

The HIIP Secretariat, in collaboration with WHO, will also support mobilization of additional resources for Phase 2, aiming to scale the strengthened primary healthcare model nationwide based on lessons learned from Phase 1.

This development underscores the outcomes of the Maldives National UHC Forum and highlights the Government’s commitment to primary healthcare as the cornerstone of UHC, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships in building a resilient, equitable, and sustainable health system for all Maldivians.