The annual state budget for 2021 includes MVR 4 billion for the health sector including MVR 200 million to go towards the eradication of COVID-19.

The Finance Minister made the remark presenting the proposed annual state budget for the year 2021 at the Parliament this morning. Minister Ameer said that the opening the economy is founded in successfully controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. And so, a high priority is given to the Health Sector in the budget.

He said that the budget for 2021 includes the funding to continue the current efforts and has given room to acquire a vaccine for COVID-19 if it comes to the market next year.

And so, MVR 968 million has been allocated to buy medical consumables and MVR 200 million to eradicate COVID-19.

Finance Minister Ameer said that one of the goals as a caring government is to provide quality healthcare and towards that goal, an important attention is given to continue developing tertiary hospitals in five parts of the country with MVR 191 million allocated in the budget next year.

The budget also entails MVR 98 million for cancer treatment hospital in Laamu Atoll Gan along with MVR 34 million for the Hithadhoo Regional Hospital project in Addu City.

Minister Ameer said that the mobile laboratory service is going to be expanded in the atolls to provide primary healthcare and provide lab service.