Although the introduction of Aasandha and the development of hospitals in more islands under the Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) has gone a long way in taking access to affordable healthcare to the next level, there are still some challenges that the sector needs to address.
Channel News Maldives
The Maldivian healthcare system is constantly going through new developments in order to cater better to the growing needs of the Maldivian citizens. Although the introduction of Aasandha and the development of hospitals in more islands under the Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) has gone a long way in making access to affordable healthcare the next level, there are still some challenges that the sector needs to address.
In a move to provide additional facilities and services to the healthcare service in the Maldives, three new developments have been announced.
The CEO of Male’ Group of Hospitals, Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem has revealed that a 250-bed multi-speciality hospital is to be developed adjacent to Hulhumale’ Hospital. This facility will be developed in a 15-storey new building adjacent to Hulhumale’ Hospital. With this, the healthcare services available in Hulhumale’ will be taken to the next level with access to a NICU with 14 beds and an ICU with 10 beds.
With these units estimated to be developed by the end of 2025, with four operation theater complexes set to be completed within the same timeline, people living in Hulhumale’ city will no longer need to travel all the way to Male’ for these services.
One of the biggest issues that people continue to face is the long queues at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). In addition to the consultations being covered by the national health insurance scheme Aasandha, IGMH also provides top-notch healthcare services, making it the top choice for most citizens seeking healthcare services in the Maldives.
In a move to resolve the long waiting time at IGMH, it has been revealed that work is underway to introduce a GP clinic so that patients can consult medical officers at the clinic rather than wait in the queue at the hospital. This would mean that patients who do not have medical emergencies that require a referral will be able to consult at the clinic and consult specialists with a referral from the GP clinic. With the introduction of the GP clinic, the added pressure on the Emergency Room will be taken off, leaving the ER for actual emergency-related cases.
Last but not least, the CEO of Male’ Group of Hospitals, Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleemalso revealed that a new 25-storey building which will be dedicated to the cancer hospital is also set to be developed. As the Maldives continues to battle with high cancer rates, the need for better treatment facilities for cancer patients has increased over the years. While most cancer patients travel abroad for medical treatments, this option is not only difficult but also proves to be extremely expensive. As most people struggle to afford these services, often resulting in seeking donations - a cancer clinic in the Maldives could be a solution to this problem.
Although Dharumavantha Hospital was supposed to provide these services, as the hospital was not put to proper use, the new 25-storey hospital which will be developed near Dharumavantha Hospital is going to play a key role in providing the services needed by cancer patients. The new building is being built in hopes that it will not fail to meet the expected services, by learning from the failures that Dharumavantha Hospital was met with.
With these three key developments, the Maldives’ healthcare sector is projected to reach new heights when it comes to providing accessible and affordable healthcare services to all.
