- Loan from Saudi Fund, OPEC
- Additional building near ECC
- Project will start this year
Finance Ministry reveals that a US$ 20.9 million (MVR 322.3 million) loan has been secured to upgrade ECC to a 100-bed hospital.
Finance Minister Ahmed Munawwar said they had called for a contractor to develop the building according to the design after the loan was secured from Saudi Fund and OPEC Fund. Saudi Fund will contribute US$ 12.5 million to the venture, while OPEC Fund will contribute US$ 8.4 million.
The ECC was initially created to host the SAARC Summit in Addu City.
The bid for the development calls on the prospective developer to bring major modifications to the building interior and the construction of a new building in the premises. The Government assures that development will take place this year.
Once ECC becomes an operational hospital, the regional hospital in Hithadhoo will close. Bidding for the project will open on October 13.
The Government had also planned to upgrade Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital to tertiary levels. The President has pledged to create tertiary hospitals in three regions in the country including Male'.
