The Government has announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art national therapy centre in Hulhumalé to expand access to specialised rehabilitation and therapy services across the Maldives.

Delivering the Presidential Address at the first sitting of the first session of the 20th People’s Majlis for 2026, the President stated that practical work to establish the facility is scheduled to commence by mid-year. He said the centre, to be developed under the name National Disability Services and Therapy Centre, will provide a full range of therapy services, with branches also planned for other islands to extend services to the atolls.

While therapy services are currently available in the Greater Malé Region through Government hospitals and private clinics, existing facilities lack sufficient capacity to meet demand. Eaxpanding therapy services is essential to strengthening the national healthcare system and improving access to care for persons with disabilities and individuals requiring long-term rehabilitation.

As part of reforms in therapy and rehabilitation services, the President said the Government will review coverage under Aasandha scheme to ensure support for therapy-related treatment costs. He also announced the launch of a national workforce development initiative aimed at strengthening the supply of trained Maldivian therapists.

Under the programme, the Government plans to train 250 Maldivians in various therapy disciplines through degree-level education and professional training courses to be conducted locally, with graduates to be employed under structured employment agreements. In the interim, the President said 50 specialised therapists, including speech therapists, occupational therapists, behavioural therapists, physiotherapists and psychotherapists will be recruited within the next six months to address immediate service gaps.