ACC complaint filed over hospital relocation under Saudi loan

A case has been filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) alleging political interference in the relocation of two hospitals funded by a USD 50 million Saudi development loan.

The complaint was submitted by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) National Assembly Member Ahmed Saleem, also known as Maaz Saleem. He claims the previous MDP-led government had proposed building 50-bed hospitals in Rasdhoo (Alif Alif atoll), Manadhoo (Noonu atoll), and Fuvahmulah city under a broader USD 150 million loan arrangement with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).

Although the proposal was submitted to the Saudi government in 2023, the loan agreement was not finalized before the administration changed. The current government signed two loan agreements on May 16 last year, at the Ministry of Finance, one for USD 100 million to develop Velana International Airport, and another for USD 50 million to improve healthcare infrastructure.

Maaz alleges that the hospital projects originally planned for Rasdhoo and Manadhoo have since been relocated to Fonadhoo (Laamu atoll) and Nilandhoo (Faafu atoll), respectively. He claims the decision was politically motivated, accusing then-Health Minister Abdullah Khaleel and then-Finance Minister Dr Mohamed Shafeeg of using the projects to secure parliamentary seats in those constituencies.

 “The hospitals were moved to Fonadhoo and Nilandhoo to serve political interests,” Maaz said, adding that the original plans had already been submitted with architectural drawings.

The ACC has not yet publicly commented on the case. The health sector loan agreement signed with SFD includes the establishment of three hospitals with a combined capacity of 150 beds, aimed at improving access to healthcare and limiting the spread of diseases.