President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has officially inaugurated the newly primed facility of the Maldivian Blood Services and the Thalassaemia and Other Haemoglobinopathies Centre, at Orange Hiyaa in Hulhumalé.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, Vice Chief of Defence Force Brigadier General Ahmed Giyas and senior officials from the Male’ City Group of Hospitals.
Following the inauguration, President Muizzu toured the facility, engaging with staff and patients to inquire about the quality of services being provided.
The wellbeing of thalassaemia patients remains a key priority for the administration. Acting in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the President instructed the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) to expedite the relocation of the Maldivian Blood Services and Thalassaemia and Other Haemoglobinopathies Centre to Orange Hiyaa, underscoring the urgency of the matter. The MNDF completed the relocation within approximately one month.
The relocation is expected to alleviate space constraints and enhance the delivery of services. The new facility, located on the fourth floor of the Orange Hiyaa, now includes a general ward, a dedicated women’s ward, and a children’s ward. The general ward accommodates 12 beds, the women’s ward has seven, and the children’s ward includes six beds.
Blood storage capacity has also been increased significantly from 200 pints to 600 pints, with the addition of two new storage units.
The new centre also features a waiting area, reception area, two phlebotomy stations a donor screening room and blood collection room. To support operations at the facility, five nurses, six laboratory technicians, and one physician have been permanently assigned. Additional administrative and storage management staff have also been employed, bringing the total number of new staff to 16.
Consultation services are available daily from 08:00 am to 20:30, except on Fridays. Blood donation services are offered from 08:00 to 19:30 daily, excluding Fridays. The centre also provides thalassemia screening services and issues thalassemia cards.
The facility is also equipped with a dedicated counseling room to offer psycho-social support to patients and their families. The government aims to provide comprehensive treatment to individuals and families suffering from thalassemia and other blood diseases.
To enhance accessibility, a dedicated bus stop has been established for Orange Hiyaa. Patients can now travel conveniently with the introduction of a special bus card, and transport services have already commenced.
During the fifth episode of the Rayyithunaa Eku podcast, the President announced his decision to transfer the Thalassaemia Centre and the Maldivian Blood Services (MBS) under the administration of the Malé City Group of Hospitals’ Governing Board. This strategic move aims to streamline service delivery and revise operational hours to better meet patient needs.
Furthermore, the President reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that children with thalassaemia have equal access to all rights and opportunities available in the country. He highlighted the importance of full accessibility in his message marking World Thalassaemia Day this year.