The Male’ City Group of Hospitals (MCGH) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a Diagnostic Centre for Oncology Services (DCOS), marking a major expansion of specialised cancer care in the Maldives and supporting the government’s efforts to strengthen advanced healthcare services within the country.
The centre is being developed as part of a presidential pledge announced by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu in this year’s Presidential Address. Once completed, the facility will introduce radiation therapy in the Maldives for the first time, significantly expanding the range of cancer treatments available locally and reducing the need for patients to travel overseas for specialised care.
The MoU was signed with a joint venture between Quantum Heights Limited of the United Kingdom and N Vascular Technology Private Limited of the Republic of India. MCGH Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem signed the agreement on behalf of the hospital group, while Chief Operating Officer and Director Chintan Soni represented the contractor. Minister of Health Geela Ali, senior officials from the Ministry of Health and representatives of MCGH attended the signing ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, Haleem said the project is designed to reduce overseas medical referrals by strengthening the Maldives’ capacity to provide comprehensive cancer diagnosis and treatment domestically. He noted that the government’s health sector policies place strong emphasis on developing skilled human resources while expanding the use of advanced medical technology across the national healthcare system.
Although chemotherapy services are already available in the Maldives, several highly specialised oncology services remain unavailable locally, including radiation therapy, nuclear medicine and PET-CT imaging. The new centre is expected to address these gaps and establish a more integrated cancer treatment pathway for patients.
The Diagnostic Centre for Oncology Services will provide comprehensive cancer care ranging from early diagnosis and chemotherapy to cancer surgery, inpatient treatment and emergency services. Advanced radiotherapy technologies, including 3D conformal radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), are planned alongside CT simulation and pathology services.
Dedicated inpatient wards and a specialised operating theatre for cancer surgeries will also be established, allowing patients to receive a broader range of treatment under one integrated facility. Psychological and supportive care will form part of the centre’s services, providing additional assistance to patients and their families throughout the treatment process.
The project is planned to be developed in phases, with completion targeted for 2028. Once operational, the centre is expected to strengthen the Maldives’ healthcare infrastructure, improve access to advanced cancer treatment and support the government’s wider objective of delivering more specialised medical services within the country.
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