Maldives Seeks IAEA Membership to Advance Cancer Hospital Plans

The Maldives government has decided to join the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to seek assistance in developing a cancer hospital in the country. This decision was announced by Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer during a press conference at the President’s Office on Sunday, September 1st. The cabinet reached this decision in its meeting held earlier that day.

Currently, the Maldives and Bhutan are the only countries in the SAARC region that are not members of the 178-member IAEA. Joining the agency will enable the Maldives to access crucial support, particularly in the areas of medical equipment procurement and waste management, both of which are under the IAEA’s mandate.

At the press conference, Zameer highlighted President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to establishing a cancer hospital in the Maldives, noting that modern medicine is essential for such an initiative. He stressed the importance of the IAEA’s assistance in achieving this goal.

The cabinet has tasked the Ministry of Defense with leading the effort to secure IAEA membership, in collaboration with the Health Ministry and the Environment Ministry. Zameer also emphasized the broader benefits of this move, noting that the global shift towards atomic energy could reduce reliance on hydrocarbons, and that the Maldives stands to gain from embracing this direction.

The government plans to submit the cabinet’s final decision to parliament for approval. Once approved, the Maldives will begin the process of becoming an IAEA member, with the expectation of receiving benefits from the agency before the completion of the cancer hospital.

The initiative to establish a cancer hospital was initially launched by the previous administration, which had planned to build the hospital in Laamu atoll Gan with assistance from India. However, this project did not progress before the former government left office. The current administration has decided to relocate the cancer hospital to the Male’ area, while a mental health hospital will be developed in Gan. The Health Ministry has indicated that the hospital will be built on the parking zone for IGMH employees and the adjacent vacant plot.