The government has allocated a 10,000 square foot plot of land in Hulhumalé for the construction of a specialized mental health hospital, Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Geela Ali announced today.

The Minister shared the update during today's parliamentary session in response to a question raised by Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) regarding the development of the facility.

Addressing inquiries about the necessity of a standalone hospital and the evaluated pros and cons of locating it outside of Malé, the Minister explained that a dedicated facility is essential due to the highly specialized nature of psychiatric treatment and the multi-disciplinary teams of specialists required to deliver it.

The Minister further noted that the Greater Malé area was selected because the country's primary medical resources, testing facilities, and complementary treatments are heavily centralized in the capital region. She emphasized that mental health patients undergo various stages of treatment, meaning that facilities must be equipped to support long-term stays alongside rehabilitation frameworks that help individuals successfully reintegrate into their families and communities—a specialized model utilized worldwide.

While mental health services are currently provided within the general public healthcare system, Minister Geela stated that the administration's policy moving forward is to transition towards this specialized care framework. Underscoring the pressing demand for these services, she revealed that more than 70,000 individuals sought psychiatric assistance between 2023 and the end of 2025. Out of these, 45,000 patients accessed treatment within the Malé region, further justifying the decision to establish the hospital in the Greater Malé area.