Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has announced that the Government will launch a series of projects next year to expand and upgrade health services across the atolls, marking 2026 as a key year for reform in the sector. 

Speaking in an interview held to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the Voice of Maldives, Minister Nazim said a substantial share of the upcoming State budget has been earmarked for health, with a focus on strengthening services outside the capital. He noted that the Ministry’s plans include upgrading atoll hospitals and health centres on populated islands, improving facilities and treatment capacity so that more patients can receive care closer to home.

A central element of the 2026 agenda, he said, is increasing the number of doctors and specialists working in the atolls, alongside the development of the necessary infrastructure to support them. The projects scheduled for implementation include acquiring additional medical staff, establishing new services, and enhancing existing systems in line with the Government’s manifesto commitments and budget allocations.

Minister Nazim stressed that the guiding principle of the Government’s health policy is to bring tangible improvements to people’s daily lives by building a healthier society. He said the administration aims to take the health sector to another level through targeted investment, expanded services and better access to quality care across the country.

During his interview, the Minister also highlighted the contribution of the Voice of Maldives to public health over the years. He said the broadcaster has played an important role in building a healthy generation by airing programmes and news items that raise awareness on health issues, including guidance on precautionary measures during disease outbreaks. By delivering accurate and timely information on developments in the Maldives and abroad, he said, the Voice of Maldives has helped open people’s eyes to national health matters.