IGMH to Introduce Timed Appointments to Support Patients Coming from Atolls

Patients travelling from the atolls for treatment at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) will soon benefit from a new system that provides advance notice of the exact date and time of their doctor’s appointment, according to the hospital’s CEO, Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem.

Currently, most departments at IGMH only issue queue numbers without specifying when the consultation will take place. Haleem said that four departments are now being prepared to transition to the new appointment system, which is intended to bring more clarity and convenience for patients.

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He revealed this during Parliament’s Committee on Social Affairs where officials from the hospital group, Aasandha, and the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) were questioned on the issue.

The group’s Chief Executive Officer, Abdul Razzaq Haleem, explained that many patients at IGMH and affiliated hospitals arrive after visiting private clinics and require follow-ups within five days, which adds pressure to appointment schedules. A separate referral list exists for these cases, but a shortage of specialists has led to extended waiting times.

Deputy CEO Dr Shah Mahir noted that priority is given to admitted patients and those needing follow-up care, although some departments struggle to meet demand. To improve scheduling, a new time-specific appointment system will be introduced in four departments and expanded across all departments by year-end.

The new system aims to help patients from outer islands plan visits more effectively. Additionally, the group plans to strengthen referral pathways through general practitioners and newly established GP clinics in Male’. Outpatient services in some high-demand specialities have also been extended to night hours to manage patient volume.

Efforts are under way to work with the Ministry of Health to streamline appointments for patients referred from atoll hospitals, with coordination already in place at Faafu Atoll Hospital and Kulhudhuffushi. Officials said these initiatives are designed to reduce delays, improve referrals, and increase access to specialist care, especially for patients travelling from outer islands.