The Road Development Corporation (RDC) has signed an agreement to renovate the Amaan Hiyaa building in Vilimalé, paving the way for the temporary relocation of hospital services ahead of the construction of a new 100-bed hospital in the island.

The agreement was signed at a ceremony with Managing Director of RDC Ibrahim Nazeem signing on behalf of the corporation and Malé City Group of Hospitals CEO, Abdul Razzaq Haleem signed on behalf of the hospital.

Under the agreement, RDC will undertake renovation works at Amaan Hiyaa to enable the transfer of clinical and administrative services currently provided at Vilimalé Hospital. The relocation is necessary to facilitate the demolition of the old hospital building, which the Government has decided to replace with a modern, fully equipped healthcare facility.

According to Malé City Group of Hospitals, the design of the new hospital has been completed, with construction to be undertaken through grant assistance from the Chinese Government. The planned 100-bed facility will consist of two buildings and include outpatient, inpatient, emergency, diagnostic, intensive care and hemodialysis services.

Officials stated that the temporary setup in Amaan Hiyaa is expected to be completed by the end of the year, after which demolition of the existing hospital will begin either late this year or early 2026.

Vilimalé, home to approximately 15,000 residents, currently faces significant constraints due to limited hospital capacity. The existing facility has only three consultation rooms and five emergency beds, leaving residents heavily dependent on IGMH and Dharumavantha Hospital for most medical needs. The new hospital will significantly ease long-standing concerns about access to essential healthcare.