Maldivian Hematologist to Lead Thalassemia Centre as Specialized Care Expands

The Thalassemia Centre will appoint a Maldivian hematologist to lead its operations starting in June, marking a significant shift toward localized expertise in the management of inherited blood disorders. The announcement was made by Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, CEO of the Male' City Group of Hospitals (MCGH), during commemorations for Thalassemia Day. This leadership transition is part of a broader government strategy to strengthen specialized healthcare. Last May, the Thalassemia Centre relocated to Orange Hiyaa in Hulhumalé to improve patient accessibility. Complementing this move, the administration introduced a special allowance for patients in January to ease the financial burden on affected families. According to CEO Abdul Razzaq, the center has already integrated internal medicine services as of May 2025. The upcoming leadership by a local hematologist will be supported by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). Additionally, an on-call service dedicated to pediatric patients is expected to launch within the next ten days. Significant diagnostic upgrades are also on the horizon. The center plans to launch NET testing by the end of July, a move Abdul Razzaq described as a historic step toward meeting international blood safety standards. To address complications from chronic blood transfusions, liver fibrosis scanning will also be introduced this year to monitor iron overload in patients. Beyond clinical care, the center is focusing on prevention and systemic efficiency. With four children born with Thalassemia so far this year, the center will introduce a guidance system and pre-marital counseling to help families make informed decisions and reduce the disorder's incidence. To modernize the supply chain of life-saving blood, the government will digitize the special register of blood donors this year. This digital transformation aims to streamline the coordination between donors and recipients, ensuring faster and more reliable access to blood products across the Maldives.