Hulhumalé Hospital is preparing to introduce a dental laboratory and expand several other services as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare provision in line with the growing population of Hulhumalé.
The hospital has expanded its facilities and introduced several new services over the past two years. Additional services have also been launched this year, while work is continuing to introduce further services in the coming period.
Speaking on PSM News’ Raajje Miadhu programme, Hulhumalé Hospital Director General Moosa Kaleem Qasim said preparations were underway to establish a dental laboratory at the hospital, as highlighted by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu in his Presidential Address.
He said the final preparations required to begin the service within this year were currently underway.
Director General Kaleem also said work was in progress to further expand the hospital’s mental health treatment services. This includes expanding mental health outpatient services and establishing a dedicated ward where patients can be admitted for treatment.
He said one of the main challenges was the absence of adequate arrangements to provide the service at the required level. Solutions were being sought, while inpatient mental health treatment was currently available only at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, which he described as a major challenge.
Director General Kaleem said the completion of the project would ease access to treatment for patients seeking these services.
Chief Executive Officer of the Malé City Group of Hospitals Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem said major national-level projects were being implemented to expand healthcare services across the Malé region.
He noted that it would take additional time to begin providing services after the completion of the projects. However, he said work was also being carried out to improve healthcare services before the projects were completed.
Among the major projects planned for the Malé region are the expansion of facilities at Hulhumalé Hospital and the development of a new 250-bed building.
A 500-bed hospital is also planned for Hulhumalé Phase II. CEO Haleem said the hospital would provide specialised treatment for cancer patients, women and children.
He said the projects would enable the planned services to be introduced once they were completed. Until then, efforts would continue to use existing resources sustainably and improve services provided to the public from one day to the next.