President Inaugurates New Thalassaemia and Blood Services Facility at Orange Hiyaa
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu (L) inaugurates the new MBS facility in Orange Hiyaa on Sunday, May 25, 2025 | Photo: President’s Office
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has officially inaugurated the new facility of the Maldivian Blood Services and the Thalassaemia and Other Haemoglobinopathies Centre at Orange Hiyaa in Hulhumalé yesterday.
Following the inauguration, the President toured the facility, engaging directly with staff and patients to assess the quality of services provided.
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In March, parents of Thalassaemia patients protested outside MBS over dissatisfaction with its management, faulty services, and staff negligence. Afterwards, President Muizzu visited the MBS and thalassemia patients and decided to expedite the relocation of the Maldivian Blood Services and the Thalassaemia and Other Haemoglobinopathies Centre to Orange Hiyaa in Hulhumale’.
The President’s Office said this move is expected to ease space constraints and significantly improve service quality. The new facility features a general ward, a dedicated women’s ward, and a children’s ward. Blood storage capacity has tripled—from 200 pints to 600 pints—thanks to the installation of two new storage units.
According to the President’s Office, the government has permanently assigned five nurses, six laboratory technicians, and one physician to the centre to support the enhanced operations. Additional administrative and storage management personnel have also been appointed, bringing the total number of new staff to 16.
To improve accessibility, authorities have established a dedicated bus stop at Orange Hiyaa. Patients now benefit from a special bus card, and transport services are already in operation.
In the fifth episode of the Rayyithunaa Eku podcast, the President announced his decision to transfer the Thalassaemia Centre and Maldivian Blood Services (MBS) under the governance of the Malé City Group of Hospitals’ Governing Board. This strategic move aims to streamline service delivery and adjust operating hours to better meet patient needs.
The President also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that children with thalassaemia enjoy equal access to all rights and opportunities within the country. In his message marking World Thalassaemia Day, he underscored the importance of making services fully accessible to every child affected.
