The recent MOUs signed between Maldives and India will facilitate projects in Hulhumale and Kulhudhuffushi Hospital and Addu Equatorial Hospital.

These MoUs will be implemented under Indian grant assistance scheme for High Impact Community Development Project through local bodies (HICDP).

The MoUs were signed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid on behalf of the Government of Maldives and the High Commissioner of India, Munu Mahawar, on behalf of the Government of India, and the respective implementing agencies. The ceremony was attended by respective Members of Parliament, Island Councils, senior officials from the Government of Maldives, and the High Commission of India.

The projects include establishing a mental health centre at Addu Equatorial Hospital, a speech a therapy unit at Kulhudhufushi Regional Hospital, prosthetics and orthotics manufacturing workshop at Hulhumale’ Hospital.

The overarching MoU on Indian grant assistance for HICDPs was initially signed between the Governments of the Maldives and India on March 17, 2019, for a total grant of MVR 85 million. On July 23, 2021, it was renewed with an increment up to MVR 155 million.