Hulhumalé Hospital Expansion Targeted for Completion by Mid-Year

The Chief Executive Officer of the Malé City Group of Hospitals, Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, has stated that efforts are underway to complete the expansion of the medical and paediatric wards at Hulhumalé Hospital by the middle of this year.

The expansion project has been awarded to the Road Development Corporation, with work currently focused on addressing the hospital’s most pressing challenge, which is the lack of bed capacity. Haleem noted that a new 28-bed ward is under development, with completion targeted for mid-year.

He further highlighted that efforts are ongoing to enhance services alongside increasing capacity. New Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and X-ray machines are scheduled to be installed within the year, aimed at improving access to diagnostic services and overall healthcare efficiency.

Haleem explained that the introduction of additional services requires the construction of a new building at Hulhumalé Hospital, with work already in progress. The proposed facility will accommodate 250 beds, including private rooms, significantly expanding the hospital’s capacity.

Plans are also in place to establish labour rooms and a dedicated ward within the gynaecology department this year. In addition, efforts are underway to introduce neurology outpatient and urology services, following requests raised by the public during meetings with the President.

Of the 28 additional beds currently under development, four will be allocated for a Medical High Dependency Unit, 15 for the general ward and nine for the paediatric ward. The paediatric ward, which currently has six beds, will increase to 15 upon completion, while the general ward will reach a total capacity of 27 beds.

Over the past two years, several key developments have been implemented at Hulhumalé Hospital to address space constraints and expand services. These include the establishment of a modern operating theatre complex with four theatres dedicated to eye, orthopaedic, gynaecological and general surgeries.

Additional upgrades include the development of a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit and an isolation unit to support critically ill patients, as well as a 14-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to provide specialised care for newborns with complications. A Central Sterile Services Department has also been introduced to improve the sterilisation of medical equipment, replacing the previous single-machine system.