National Cardiac Centre Boosts Public Trust in IGMH Healthcare Services

The establishment of the National Cardiac Centre has significantly increased public confidence in the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), according to the Chief Executive Officer of the Malé City Group of Hospitals. Speaking at the center's 10th-anniversary ceremony, CEO Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem described the facility as one of the most successful specialized centers under the group's management. He emphasized that the center has set a benchmark for specialized healthcare delivery in the Maldives, with continuous quality improvements strengthening the public's trust in the national hospital. A primary achievement of the center has been the reduction of medical tourism. By providing advanced cardiovascular services domestically, the facility has enabled many Maldivians to receive critical heart treatments at home rather than seeking expensive care abroad. Haleem characterized the initiative as a proactive effort and an "invaluable gift to the public." Beyond the capital, the government is expanding cardiac care to the regions. Haleem highlighted the successful operation of the Cath Lab in Addu City, which launched in February. To date, Addu Equatorial Hospital has performed 38 angiograms, 20 angioplasties, and several specialized procedures, including pacemaker and automated implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD) implantations. The government is now looking to the north to further decentralize these services. Discussions are underway with Kulhudhuffushi Hospital to establish a Cath Lab in the northern region, pending the procurement of necessary space. This expansion aligns with directives from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who has instructed the government to broaden treatment services for heart disease, cancer, and neurological disorders. Haleem also noted that Cath Lab services, which had previously been suspended due to operational issues, have fully resumed under the current administration, ensuring uninterrupted access to life-saving cardiac interventions.