News DeskVELIDHOO, Maldives — President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu, shuttling between islands in Noonu Atoll, visited Velidhoo, island on Wednesday to launch a hospital, a police station, and other infrastructure projects, advancing efforts to improve services and economic opportunities in remote communities.
The visit, the latest stop in President Muizzu’s tour of Noonu Atoll, highlighted his administration’s focus on equitable development across the archipelago, where scattered communities often lack access to basic services. The projects aim to address healthcare, public safety, and economic challenges in Velidhoo, a fishing community of about 1,500 residents, while tackling broader issues like drug addiction and maritime access.
At a ceremony attended by local leaders, President Muizzu laid the foundation stone for a new hospital, a project led by the Ministry of Health and funded by the state budget. Health Minister Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim said the facility, expected to open by late 2026, will provide primary care and emergency services, reducing the need for residents to travel to the capital, Malé, for treatment.
In a parallel effort to bolster public safety, Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihsan and Police Commissioner Ismail Naveen broke ground on a new police station. The project, managed by the Road Development Corporation under Ali Zuhair, is part of a national plan to establish police services on every inhabited island. The station, set for completion in mid-2026, will house a small team to address local crime and emergencies.
The president also initiated construction of a community drug rehabilitation centre, one of three planned for Velidhoo, Kaashidhoo, and L. Gan. The centre aims to provide counselling and treatment for substance abuse, a growing issue in the Maldives, where opioid addiction has risen in recent years, according to government data.
To spur economic activity, President Muizzu announced a dredging project along Velidhoo’s southwest coast, contracted to the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company. Overseen by the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Infrastructure, the initiative will improve maritime access for boat building and other industries, key livelihoods for locals.
Minister Abdullah Mutalib said the project, expected to finish by early 2026, would create at least 50 jobs during construction.
Velidhoo’s council president joined residents in welcoming President Muizzu, signalling local support for the initiatives.
President Muizzu’s focus on infrastructure and social services reflects a pragmatic effort to modernize while addressing the needs of remote communities, a cornerstone of his 2023 campaign.
