Conflicting statements have emerged regarding the status of seven hospital construction projects in the Maldives and the role of the Kuwait Fund in their financing.
President Mohamed Muizzu asserts that the previous government, under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, failed to initiate work on the hospitals as agreed upon. This inaction, according to the President, led to the Kuwait Fund withdrawing some of the allocated funds. The President highlighted this issue during a recent visit to Hanimaadhoo, expressing concern over delays and assuring residents that his government would seek solutions to complete the projects.
The Health Ministry previously announced that the Kuwait Fund had committed MVR 686 million towards the construction of these hospitals. Contracts for the 30-bed facilities were awarded to Maldivian construction companies, with specific islands named in the initial announcements.
However, former Finance Minister Ibrahim Amir offers a contrasting account. He maintains that the Kuwait Fund had assured continued support for the hospital projects up until the change in government. Amir attributes delays to internal and political factors within Kuwait that affected the fund’s decision-making processes rather than inaction by the previous Maldivian administration.
The current status of the Kuwait Fund’s commitment to the hospital projects remains unclear. Further clarification from the Kuwait Fund and relevant Maldivian authorities is likely needed to reconcile these contradictory statements and determine the path forward for these essential infrastructure projects.
