MVR 59.7bn budget: Biggest focus on health sector with MVR 10.2bn earmarked

The biggest focus of next year’s budget is on healthcare, with the government set to spend over MVR 10 billion on the sector.

Finance Minister Hassan Zareer on Thursday presented a proposed state budget of MVR 59.7 billion for next year.

2027 budget details:

• Budget: MVR 59.7 billion
• Expenditure: MVR 52.6 billion
• Revenue and grants: MVR 43.2 billion

Addressing the Parliament, Zareer said that the government believes ensuring access to good quality healthcare services to be crucial for the wellbeing of the people and the future of the country.

He said that MVR 10.2 billion out of the MVR 52.6 billion in total spending next year will go towards healthcare.

Next year’s budget gives high priority on establishing a system where quality healthcare services are accessible across the country, he said.

The government had named healthcare as a top priority in this year’s budget as well.