Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim states that the catheterization laboratory, or cath lab, at Addu Equatorial Hospital (AEH) which has been delayed significantly, will be completed within the next four months and operationalized.
Minister Nazim was questioned regarding delays in the commencement of cath lab service at AEH by Central Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Azan Marzooq.
In his written response, the Minister stated that renovation work on the building, including the modifications needed to set up a cath lab and install equipment, is 98 percent complete.
The Minister, citing that an announcement has been made seeking a party to operate and manage the cath lab, said it is expected to operationalize the cath lab after selecting an ideal candidate based on their proposals and hand over the work.
Cath labs are medical facilities outfitted with advanced imaging technology to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. They enable minimally invasive procedures using catheters—thin, flexible tubes inserted into blood vessels to access the heart.
An announcement seeking a party to operate and manage a cath lab for a period of five years was published on June 12th.
Works on the cath lab commenced during the last MDP administration. The delay in its completion has prompted concerns from Addu residents.