A government-run optical shop and cath lab have officially been opened at Addu Equatorial Hospital (AEH).
The facilities were opened by Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, in a ceremony attended by Chief Executive Officer of the Male’ City Group of Hospitals Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, and Chief Executive Officer of AEH, Dr Ibrahim Yasir Ahmed.
The optical and cath lab are the first of their kind in Addu atoll. According to CEO Razzaq, the lab will reduce the need for residents of Addu City and southern atolls to travel elsewhere for heart treatments. Razzaq said some tests unavailable at AEH will be sent to private labs and IGMH hospital through collaboration with relevant institutions.
Meanwhile, the optical aims to ease financial burden on citizens. Speaking on the optical shop established in Male’ City, Razzaq said during the first two months of opening, the optical saw over a 100 customers a day, while current numbers average at 40 customers daily. So far, a total of 12,988 individuals have sought services at the optical, with 12,056 individuals receiving glasses at government expense.
A formal agreement has been signed between IGMH and AEH to manage the cath lab and optical.