Providing essential public services to every inhabited island in the Maldives by the end of 2028 is one of the Government’s goals, Fonadhoo constituency MP Mohamed Mamdhooh (Mandey) has said.

Speaking during today’s parliamentary debate on the proposed State Budget for 2027, Mamdhooh said housing remains one of the biggest challenges facing Maldivians. He highlighted the housing projects launched by the Government this year as part of its efforts to address the issue.

He also pointed to progress in the education sector, including the establishment of Maldives National University (MNU) campuses in different atolls and efforts to establish campuses of the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) on several islands.

According to Mamdhooh, these developments will make it easier for students across the country to access higher education.

Highlighting improvements in access to basic public services, Mamdhooh said residents can now obtain national identity cards, access fuel at FSM rates and withdraw cash through ATMs on their own islands, without having to travel elsewhere.

On healthcare, Mamdhooh said that when the current Government took office, there were 180 inhabited islands, and 73 of them lacked facilities to conduct basic medical tests.

He said residents of those islands had to travel elsewhere to access such services, while healthcare delays were particularly challenging during the rainy season.

Mamdhooh also criticised the previous five-year administration of the MDP, saying these essential services should already have been established for residents during its time in office.