President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has expressed confidence that the Maldives’ first dedicated cancer hospital will be commissioned next year.

Speaking at the Republic Day ceremony, he emphasised that cancer care requires a full-scale, specialised hospital, not just a department within a general hospital. He shared that discussions with a friendly nation are progressing quickly to realise the project.

President Dr Muizzu also announced plans for a mental health hospital in L. Gan and a women and children’s hospital in Hulhumale’. Additionally, Dharumavantha and Hulhumale' Hospitals in Malé will be upgraded to tertiary level and are set to become operational by the end of November.

In transport, he confirmed that RTL services will be available in all atolls by 2025, alongside efforts to develop economically sustainable airports. The road system is also undergoing improvements, with studies launched to modernise roads in Malé and Villimalé, and 2025 is anticipated to be a year of progress in bridge construction to connect islands.