The bed capacity of the main state hospital Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) has been raised this year to the highest level than the last 10 years combined, says Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim.
In an episode of SSTV’s Baaru Hathareh on Wednesday night, Nazim was questioned regarding the long waitlist for consultations and other services at the IGMH in Male’.
Nazim responded that the most significant step taken to address this issue is to increase the hospital’s capacity.
He acknowledged delays in some surgeries, attributing this to lack of availability of operation theaters or beds at wards.
Nazim said that the IGMH has opened a new 75-bed ward to address this issue.
“As we talk about the bed capacity at IGMH, we must note that the number of beds added this year is higher than around the last 10 years combined,” he said.
Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). (Sun Photo/Maaniu Mohamed)
Nazim said that efforts to tackle the waitlist, including hiring new staff, is headed in “the right direction.”
He said that the government is working to recruit over 300 professionals to healthcare facilities in the greater Male’ area, including doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.
Nazim said that the government aims to tackle the long waitlist by increasing IGMH’s capacity, increasing healthcare professionals, and also changing the way services are provided.
Nazim said that it is unrealistic to expect the waitlist can be completely eliminated, but he believes the waitlist can be made more manageable through the current efforts.