Malé City Group of Hospitals CEO Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem has announced that the setup of a temporary hospital building in Vilimalé will be completed by the end of this year, with existing services to be transferred to the new location.

The temporary facility is being established in the building that formerly housed Kudakudhinge Hiyaa. According to Haleem, the relocation ensures continued healthcare access in Vilimalé following the planned demolition of the current hospital.

“Our aim is to ensure uninterrupted healthcare in Vilimalé, even after the existing hospital is demolished. One building from the former Kudakudhinge Hiyaa and its surrounding land have been designated for the temporary setup,” he said. Drawings and plans for the interior, including the emergency room layout, are currently underway.

Currently, Vilimalé Hospital serves a population of around 15,000 residents but operates with severely limited infrastructure. The facility has only three inpatient rooms and five emergency beds, highlighting the urgent need for expanded and improved medical services on the island.

To address this need, a new 112-bed hospital is being developed in Vilimalé with grant assistance from the Chinese government, which will oversee both the construction and the provision of facilities for the project.

Haleem confirmed that the feasibility study for the new hospital has been completed and that the exchange of notes between the two governments has been signed. The project has now entered the design phase, which will also include development of the surrounding area.

The Malé City Group of Hospitals plans to demolish the existing facility and begin construction of the new hospital either later this year or in early 2026.

The temporary hospital is expected to include both current services and expanded offerings, including inpatient care, to meet the growing healthcare demands of the Vilimalé community until the permanent facility is completed.