President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has inaugurated the first Urban Primary Healthcare Centre in the Malé region, achieving a key milestone in the Government’s efforts to strengthen community-based public health services. 

The facility, located in Maafannu, was officially opened at a ceremony held on Wednesday evening, where the President was accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed.

During the event, President Dr Muizzu formally handed over the new centre to the Malé City Group of Hospitals. Addressing the gathering after the handover, the Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Abdul Razzaq Haleem, expressed appreciation for the Administration’s commitment to expanding accessible healthcare in Malé and improving service convenience for residents.

The newly inaugurated Urban Primary Healthcare Centre has been designed in line with the President’s health policy, which prioritises preventing illnesses before they occur and promoting healthier communities. The centre will deliver services across three key areas: general consultations for common illnesses, specialist referrals for advanced care, and facilitated access to additional specialist services when required.

Beyond clinical care, the centre will also implement nationwide public health programmes. These include monitoring children’s growth through the Child Health Clinic, administering routine vaccinations, and conducting awareness initiatives on healthy lifestyles. Mental health services and tobacco cessation clinics will also be offered as part of a broader strategy to reduce preventable diseases.

Following the inauguration, the President and First Lady toured the facility and met with staff working across its departments. Senior officials from the Malé City Group of Hospitals, Government representatives and healthcare professionals were present at the ceremony.

Preventive healthcare remains a central pillar of President Dr Muizzu’s health agenda. The Administration has announced plans to establish five additional Urban Primary Healthcare Centres in the Greater Malé Region, three in Malé City and two in Hulhumalé. Strengthening the health sector is one of the priority areas highlighted in the proposed 2026 national budget with 831 million allocated.