Minister of Health, Abdullah Khaleel, has said that hospital projects worth over MVR 2 billion were awarded to various parties in various parts of the country while President Dr Mohamed Muizzu took over the government.

The Minister noted that this was the reason why health sector projects were not proceeding at a satisfactory rate.

Replying to a question by Kurendhoo MP AbdulGhanee Abdul Hakeem on the work of hospitals and health centers in different parts of the country, Khaleel said that when the President took over the government, there were hospitals and health centers under construction in many areas that had stopped.

However, work has started on some of them after talks with contractors, he said.

“Mainly we have noticed an unusually large number of projects being awarded at once by 2023, with the total number of awarded works exceeding MVR 2 billion,” he said.

He said the Health Ministry has allocated MVR 380 million for PSIP in this year's budget. Therefore, the projects cannot be carried out unless the finances are managed properly, he said.