Magnetic resonance imaging services are scheduled for introduction at Dr Abdul Samad Memorial Hospital this year, marking a significant step in the regional expansion of advanced healthcare, Ahmed Ashraf, the hospital’s chief executive officer, said in an interview. The development, Ashraf told PSM News, fulfils a campaign pledge by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to establish such diagnostic capabilities in Thinadhoo City.
Progress on the installation is advancing as medical authorities coordinate with private contractors. "Establishing MRI capabilities in Thinadhoo is a direct realisation of the President’s commitments," Ashraf stated, noting that the contracted firm recently inspected the site and received the necessary documentation to begin work. "We remain confident that MRI services will be operational in Thinadhoo by the final quarter of this year."
Parallel to the imaging facility, the hospital is preparing to commission a hyperbaric chamber, a specialised treatment facility that Ashraf anticipates will also become operational within the current calendar year. "We are actively advancing the hyperbaric chamber project, and our goal is to introduce this facility into service later this year, potentially even preceding the MRI," Ashraf noted. "The public can rest assured that these critical healthcare services will remain consistently accessible. Before the conclusion of 2026, both the MRI and the hyperbaric chamber will be fully operational."
These upgrades are part of a broader governmental programme to fortify the national healthcare sector by elevating standards at atoll-based hospitals. Through various infrastructure projects, the administration aims to expand medical capacity and improve the quality of care delivered throughout the islands.