The Health Ministry has signed contracts with three Malaysian companies to construct a specialized thalassemia hospital in Hulhumale' Phase II.

The agreements were made with Sinoma Industry Engineering, Medo Asia, and Chin Hin Construction Engineering during a ceremony at CROSSROADS Maldives on Tuesday evening.

Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, alongside Medo Asia’s Managing Director Stuart J. Venner Pack, Chin Hin Construction Engineering’s CEO Roger Lim Swee Kiat, and Sinoma Industry Engineering’s Managing Director Liu Tao, signed the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts.

The new Thalassemia and Hematology Hospital will be built on a 71,000-square-foot plot in Hulhumale’ Phase II.

The design, unveiled at the ceremony, includes key medical facilities such as an organ transplant unit, a bone marrow transplant unit, genetic screening and counseling services, a laboratory, a research and development center, and an accommodation block.

This project is a key part of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to prioritize thalassemia care in the Maldives.

The government has previously discussed a USD 25 million budget allocation for the hospital.

To further support thalassemia patients, the administration has added DNA testing for carrier screening to the state health insurance scheme, Aasandha.

Other initiatives include government-sponsored bone marrow transplants for eligible patients, ensuring the availability of essential medicines through the State Trading Organization (STO), and covering necessary medical expenses through Aasandha.

Currently, the Maldives has over 600 registered thalassemia patients, with more than 300 receiving regular transfusions in Male’.

Five patients are set to undergo bone marrow transplants at the state’s expense later this year.