The Maldives and China have signed a formal agreement for the construction of the ‘Villimalé China Maldives Friendship Hospital’, a 112-bed facility to be funded through a Chinese government grant.

The Letter of Exchange was signed today at a ceremony held at Dharumavantha Hospital, by Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure, Dr Abdulla Muththalib, and Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, Kong Xianhua, representing their respective governments.

According to Minister Dr Muththalib, the hospital project will move forward swiftly once final approval is granted. He stated that the contractor selection process will be completed within this year, with construction scheduled to begin in 2026. He also expressed confidence in the timely completion of the project, citing ongoing cooperation with China.

Ambassador Kong described the hospital as one of the largest to be developed in the Maldives, pledging that it would be equipped with cutting-edge medical facilities. Drawing on China’s extensive healthcare experience, he highlighted that 96 per cent of medical equipment in China is domestically produced and that the country is home to the world’s largest hospital.

This latest project follows other major developments supported by China in the Maldives, including the China Maldives Friendship Bridge connecting Malé and Hulhumalé—another symbol of the close bilateral relationship.