Hulhumalé Hospital to Launch Dental Lab and Expand Mental Health Care

Hulhumalé Hospital is set to launch a new dental laboratory and expand its mental health services to keep pace with the rapid population growth of the urban island. The upcoming dental facility aligns with goals highlighted by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu in his recent Presidential Address, with the hospital aiming to begin operations before the end of the year. Director General Moosa Kaleem Qasim revealed that the hospital is also prioritizing the expansion of its mental health treatment capabilities. This initiative includes enhancing outpatient services and establishing a dedicated inpatient ward. Currently, specialized inpatient mental health care is only available at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Malé, a gap in service that has posed a significant challenge for residents of Hulhumalé. Director General Kaleem emphasized that creating a localized inpatient facility will drastically ease access to critical psychiatric care, removing the need for patients to travel to the capital for admission. Broadening the scope of regional healthcare, Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, CEO of the Malé City Group of Hospitals, stated that several national-level projects are currently underway to bolster the healthcare infrastructure across the Malé region. This includes the ongoing expansion of Hulhumalé Hospital and the development of a new 250-bed facility. Looking toward long-term capacity, a 500-bed hospital is planned for Hulhumalé Phase II. This future institution is designed to provide specialized treatment for cancer patients, as well as dedicated maternal and pediatric care. CEO Haleem acknowledged that while these large-scale infrastructure projects require time to complete, the administration is focused on optimizing existing resources to improve daily patient care in the interim. The strategic expansion aims to transition the region toward a more sustainable, comprehensive healthcare model that reduces the burden on the central hospitals in Malé.