A year has passed since the government signed an agreement to build a dedicated hospital for thalassemia patients, but no construction has started on the much-anticipated project. The delay has left many families and patients waiting for better facilities that were promised as part of the national plan to tackle the disease.
Agreement Signed with High Hopes
The deal to establish the new hospital was signed on 15 October 2024 between the Health Ministry and two private companies, Meadow Asia Co Ltd and Chin Hin Group Berhad. The project was planned for Hulhumale’ Phase 2 and was announced during the launch of the National Master Plan on Thalassemia Prevention, Control and Management.
Health Minister Abdulla Nazim represented the government at the signing, while Meadow Asia CEO and Managing Director Stuart Jay, and Chin Hin Group CEO Roger Lin, signed on behalf of their companies. At the time, the project was welcomed as a major step toward improving specialized healthcare services for thalassemia patients in the Maldives.
One Year Without Visible Work
Despite the optimism surrounding the agreement, not a single brick has been laid at the site in the year since. An official from the Health Ministry confirmed that only administrative tasks have been ongoing behind the scenes. When asked about the timeline for construction, the official said there was no clear date for when physical work might begin.
This lack of progress has raised concerns among the public, especially as thalassemia remains one of the most pressing health issues in the Maldives. Families who had been hopeful about the dedicated hospital now remain in uncertainty.
The government had previously announced that Sinoma Industry Engineering Company would provide the funding for the three-story hospital. This assurance gave many the impression that construction would move forward without major obstacles. Yet a year later, the ground remains untouched, and no updates have been shared on why the project is delayed.
The proposed Thalassemia hospital was designed to include:
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An emergency room
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A canteen for patients and families
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A children’s play area
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A modern laboratory
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A blood transfusion unit
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Facilities for blood and organ transplants
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A radiology department
If built, the hospital would provide life-saving services under one roof, reducing the struggle families face when seeking treatment.
Waiting for Answers
For now, the Thalassemia community continues to wait. While the Health Ministry insists work is progressing at an administrative level, the lack of physical construction raises questions about when — or if — the hospital will become a reality.
Until clear timelines are shared, the promise of a specialized treatment center remains only on paper, leaving patients and their families in the same position they were in a year ago.
