4% increase in allocations to medical care in 2026 budget

MVR 1 billion has been allocated to financial aid for medical care in the state budget proposed for 2026.

Finance Minister Moosa Zameer presented the record MVR 64.2 billion budget proposed by the government for 2026 at Thursday’s parliamentary sitting, marking the highest ever budget proposed to date.

The budget includes MVR 8.8 billion for the health sector, of which, MVR 1.1 billion has been allocated to financial aid for medical care and purchasing medical equipment – a four percent increase compared to the amount 1.03 billion allocated for this year.

In this regard, MVR 894 million has been allocated to financial aid for medical care while MVR 206 million has been allocated to purchase medical equipment.

MVR 53 million has also been allocated to purchase therapeutic appliances and equipment.

The highest allocation in the health sector is for hospital services at MVR 5 billion, of which MVR 4 billion is allocated for general hospital services.

The second highest allocation in the health sector is for outpatient services, which is MVR 2 billion.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has described 2026’s budget as a ‘health-centric’ budget focused on strengthening the country’s healthcare system.

President Muizzu noted that several initiatives aligned with this policy have already been implemented this year, and that key projects have been identified for the coming year as well. He emphasized that a healthy population is essential for the country’s economic and social development.