60 Percent of Doctors in the Maldives Are Foreigners

Sixty percent of doctors practicing in the Maldives are foreign nationals, Health Minister Keela Ali revealed in Parliament today. Responding to a query from MP Ahmed Dhameer, the minister highlighted the healthcare sector's heavy reliance on expatriate talent, noting that over 3,400 of the nation's 12,000 healthcare workers are foreigners. Efforts are underway to train more local practitioners, with 16 newly trained Maldivian specialists recently joining IGMH and Dharumavantha Hospital.

60 Percent of Doctors in the Maldives Are Foreign Nationals, Health Minister Reveals in Parliament

Foreign medical professionals make up 60 percent of all doctors practicing in the Maldives, Health Minister Keela Ali disclosed during today's parliamentary session, underscoring the healthcare sector's ongoing reliance on expatriate expertise.

Responding to an inquiry from Machhangolhi Medhu constituency MP Ahmed Dhameer, Minister Keela explained that the nation's healthcare delivery model remains heavily dependent on foreign workers across various specialties and regions.

Official statistics cited by the Minister indicate that more than 12,000 healthcare personnel are currently employed across the country. This workforce includes over 7,000 professionals stationed in the outer islands and atolls, alongside more than 5,000 personnel based in the Greater Malé Region. Out of the total workforce, foreign nationals account for more than 3,400 positions.

Addressing strategic efforts to build local capacity, Minister Keela expressed the administration's long-term objective to increase Maldivian representation across all medical fields. She highlighted ongoing training programs conducted at the Maldives National University (MNU) as a key pipeline for local talent.

Progress is already visible within public tertiary institutions, with 16 Maldivian doctors joining Dharumavantha Hospital and Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) so far this year following the completion of their specialized medical training.