The Maldivian government has awarded the contract for the development of a specialised Thalassemia Hospital to the Malaysian company Medo Asia.

The hospital, which will be built on a 17,000-square-foot plot in Hulhumalé Phase II, is part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to improve healthcare for Thalassemia patients.

The agreement was signed during a special ceremony at Crossroads Maldives, launching the Thalassemia Prevention and Control Management Masterplan. The signing was attended by Maldives’ Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim, Medo Asia CEO Stuart J Venner Pack, and Chin Hin Construction Engineering CEO Roger Lim Swee Kiat. Additionally, Liu Tao, Managing Director of Sinoma Industry Engineering, signed the agreement to ensure the hospital meets global standards.

The new Thalassemia Hospital will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and facilities, including laboratories, private rooms, wards, Intensive Care Units (ICUs), private surgical theatres, and a dedicated bone marrow transplant unit. The facility aims to provide advanced treatment and care for Thalassemia patients in the Maldives.

The project is valued at USD 6 million, with the government in talks with Ooredoo Maldives to explore funding options to reduce costs from the national budget. The government also launched a national campaign this month to raise public awareness about Thalassemia, further supporting its efforts to combat the genetic disorder.

President Dr Muizzu has also announced plans to introduce government benefits for children affected by Thalassemia, starting next year. This hospital project and the associated healthcare initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for Thalassemia patients across the Maldives.