Decade of Specialized Cardiac Care Reduces Need for Overseas Heart Treatment

The Maldives has seen a significant shift in healthcare delivery over the last decade, moving from a reliance on overseas referrals to providing advanced cardiac care within its own borders. Driven by high rates of obesity, diabetes, and sedentary lifestyles, cardiovascular diseases have become a growing burden across all age groups in the archipelago. For years, the absence of emergency cardiac procedures meant that heart attack victims and those requiring complex surgeries faced risky journeys abroad. This landscape changed with the introduction of specialized cardiac services and their subsequent integration into Aasandha, the national universal health insurance scheme. Since the establishment of the National Cardiac Centre (NCC) in 2016, the facility has evolved into a cornerstone of the nation's health infrastructure. The centre now provides a comprehensive suite of services, including coronary angiography, stenting, the closure of congenital heart defects, and pacemaker implantations. Advanced diagnostic imaging is also utilized to detect fatty deposits and restore blood flow in blocked arteries. Dr. Mohamed Shaneez noted that the quality of care is set to improve further with the acquisition of next-generation medical technology. He confirmed that, with government support, the centre will receive the latest versions of Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) this year, enhancing the precision of cardiac interventions. Beyond acute care, the NCC has launched a dedicated pacemaker clinic that manages between 500 and 600 patients annually. This clinic ensures the longevity and correct programming of implanted devices, providing essential long-term follow-up care. To meet rising demand, the government is currently expanding the NCC's physical capacity and pursuing a strategy of decentralization. A major milestone in this effort is the introduction of advanced cardiac treatment in Addu City, the first instance of such specialized services being available outside the capital, Malé. By bridging the gap in critical care, the National Cardiac Centre has not only reduced the financial and emotional strain of traveling abroad for treatment but has fundamentally improved the survival rates for cardiac patients across the Maldives.