Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim stated today that the contract to construct the new building for the National Health Laboratory will be awarded this year.
During a press conference held by the ministry, the Minister said that the most significant change for the MFDA (Maldives Food and Drug Authority) over the next two years will be the establishment of the National Laboratory. The laboratory is currently operated within the Health Ministry.
However, the Minister noted that it is not a suitable location to run such a facility.
He stated that a USD 25 million loan from the European Investment Bank has been arranged to build the new laboratory. The agreement for that loan was signed on June 22, 2022.
Subsequently, on November 9, 2025, a contract worth USD 1.2 million was signed with a German company named Gitech to design the new laboratory building and provide feasibility study and consultancy services. Officials from that company visited the Maldives in December of last year and January of this year to gather information. Design work is currently underway.
The Health Ministry also stated that an international tender to find a party to construct the building will be opened this coming July.
Nazim said that a 26,000 square foot plot of land has been designated for the National Laboratory. The plan is to construct two buildings: a nine-story building and a three-story building. One part will be dedicated to administrative work, while the other will be the facility where the laboratory is operated. According to the Minister, once the laboratory is built, tests will be conducted for Microbiology Level 2 and 3 viruses and bacteria.
Additionally, he said that further tests on medicine and food will be conducted using modern facilities and technology.
"This laboratory is a laboratory being developed to a state-of-the-art level," Nazim said.
The new laboratory building will also include exercise facilities for employees, recreation, child care, a certain amount of accommodation, and a cafeteria. The Health Ministry further stated that international tendering will be opened in July.
