The design of the hospitals built in the atolls will be changed to reduce state costs, Health Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has stated.

Speaking at a press conference at the Health Ministry today, Khaleel said there were many projects awarded by the government that had not started and there were many projects in the pipeline.

The atoll hospitals to be developed include 50-bed hospitals and 30-bed hospitals, he said, adding that the services of the atoll hospitals will be expanded after conducting a study base.

"Each of these hospitals is very expensive. The hospitals have very fancy drawings. The people want the services only. So some structural changes are being made but the service will not change," he said.

At the meeting, Minister Khaleel said that based on current prices, a 50-bed hospital would cost more than MVR 185 million and a 30-bed hospital would cost between MVR 95 million and MVR 135 million.

"So those prices are changing dramatically with design changes. So to reduce costs for the state at the same time for the people, to provide the services that the people need. We are working on redesigning the hospitals," Khaleel said.

The minister added that the government has opportunities to establish infrastructure to provide services to the people in many places to reduce government expenditure.