Four New Clinics to Be Established in Male’ Area
Photo: MV+
The Male’ City Group of Hospitals has announced plans to establish four government-funded general practice (GP) clinics across various locations in Male’ City.
This initiative aims to reduce waiting times and ease crowding at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). IGMH, the primary government-funded hospital in Male’, offers a wide range of services, including free healthcare for numerous residents. The demand for hospital services has surged significantly, affecting not only IGMH but other healthcare facilities in the area.
According to recent IGMH data, over 150,000 patients sought emergency or general practice healthcare at the hospital, while approximately 240,000 individuals accessed outpatient department (OPD) services. Additionally, around 238,000 patients visited Hulhumale’ Hospital for routine doctor’s appointments.
In a press conference, Chief Executive Officer of Male’ City Group of Hospitals, Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, outlined plans to improve service delivery at IGMH, including the establishment of the four GP clinics. These clinics are intended to reduce patient queues by handling initial consultations, after which patients needing specialised care will be referred by the clinic to the appropriate specialists.
CEO Haleem also highlighted the common issues patients face when navigating healthcare, such as inadvertently consulting the wrong type of specialist and experiencing prolonged treatment delays. He stated that the GP clinics will address these issues by providing clearer guidance on which specialists to consult.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Dharumavantha Hospital, Dr. Shaah Maahir, added that significant changes are being made to the appointment system, especially for specialist consultations. These improvements will ensure patients are informed in advance of their appointment times, ultimately reducing wait times and improving the overall patient experience.