The government has taken another step toward expanding social care services for the elderly, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to develop the “Israhvehinge Hiyaavahi” senior citizens’ shelter in K. Thulusdhoo.
The agreement was signed during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Social and Family Development, with State Minister Ibrahim Ismail signing on behalf of the ministry and MTCC Managing Director Ahmed Saudhee representing the state-owned construction company.
The project forms part of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to establish dedicated aged care centres across the Maldives, providing elderly citizens with access to healthcare, social support and long-term care services in a safe and supportive environment.
According to the government, the K. Thulusdhoo facility will cater to senior citizens placed under state care by offering essential healthcare services alongside social and recreational programmes aimed at improving their quality of life.
In a statement shared on social media, the Ministry of Health, Family and Social Development said the centre will bring together social care, medical treatment and mental health support under one roof, ensuring elderly individuals who require state assistance receive comprehensive care in a single facility.
The ministry said the initiative reflects the government’s broader commitment to safeguarding the wellbeing of senior citizens while expanding public services for one of the country’s growing and increasingly important population groups.
The Thulusdhoo project is one of several aged care facilities currently being rolled out nationwide.
A similar “Israhvehinge Hiyaavahi” project in Sh. Funadhoo has also been awarded to MTCC, while the Southern Region Aged Care Centre in Addu City’s Feydhoo has been contracted to Litus Automobiles under a contractor-financing model.
The development of regional aged care centres was included among President Muizzu’s key social welfare pledges, with the administration aiming to establish facilities in three regions of the country to improve access to specialised elderly care outside the capital.
As the Maldives experiences a gradual increase in its ageing population, demand for structured long-term care services has continued to grow. The planned centres are intended to address that need by providing accommodation, healthcare, mental health support and social engagement programmes for elderly residents who require state assistance.
Government officials have said the broader objective is to ensure senior citizens continue to be recognised as valued members of society while strengthening social protection systems so that no elderly individual is left behind.
