New Laboratory Services Launch in Maroshi and Lhaimagu to Enhance Island Healthcare

The Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare has officially launched laboratory services in Maroshi and Lhaimagu in Shaviyani Atoll, marking a significant step in expanding diagnostic access across the archipelago. Minister Geela Ali inaugurated the facilities, ending the long-standing need for residents to travel to neighboring islands for essential medical tests. In Maroshi, the introduction of the laboratory coincided with a transition to 24-hour operations at the local health center. Previously operating 16 hours a day, the facility now provides round-the-clock care, ensuring that critical diagnostic services are available at all times. Minister Geela noted that this expansion eliminates the physical and financial burdens previously faced by residents who had to commute across the atoll for routine screenings. The new diagnostic capabilities will allow for the early detection and management of chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, renal impairment, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, the laboratories will facilitate testing for mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue fever and provide essential prenatal screenings for pregnant women. Similar advancements were mirrored in Lhaimagu, where Minister Geela Ali inaugurated new laboratory services. This development fulfills a pledge made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu during a visit to the island last year. The President had committed to expanding healthcare in Lhaimagu, including the development of a new health center equipped with four beds and enhanced diagnostic resources. Residents of both islands have welcomed the move, particularly citing the relief it brings to elderly patients and young children who no longer need to endure sea journeys for basic healthcare. By removing travel costs and saving time, the services provide immediate economic and logistical relief to the community. The facilities in Maroshi and Lhaimagu are part of a broader government initiative to establish laboratories on 76 islands currently lacking diagnostic infrastructure. The Maroshi facility is the 19th to be established under this program, aligning with President Muizzu's campaign promise to bring essential medical laboratory services to every inhabited island in the Maldives.