Deadline given to resolve hospital dispute

Hospital investors have been given 10 days to resolve a dispute over alleged corruption and mismanagement of funds.

Local and Indian investors at Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital were given the deadline by the Health Ministry, which has taken over the facility’s administrative work amid fears services might stop because of the row.

The hospital, which serves over three northern administrative atolls, was last June handed over for a 50-year period to the joint-venture company comprising locals and Indian firm Noorul Islam Educational Trust (NIMS) to be developed into a multi-specialty facility.

Earlier this month NIMS managing director, Faizal Khan, submitted a 14-page letter to President Abdulla Yameen detailing the obstacles faced by the company in providing health services. He also requested local investors be investigated.

Khan has accused local hospital investor Ali Usaidh of using thousands of dollars illicitly and NIMS has submitted a case against Usaidh to the Anti-Corruption Commission and police.

“A period of 10 days has been given to resolve the issues between local and indian investors. If they can’t resolve it during that period, we will take the next necessary action,” Health Minister Abdulla Nazim said in a press briefing.

Usaidh denied the allegations on Sunday and called for a probe into NIMS.