Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Geela Ali has announced that the Government has expanded mammography services to five regional hospitals, with additional facilities also providing breast cancer screening.

Responding to questions in Parliament on Wednesday, the minister said mammography services are now available in the Greater Malé Region, five regional hospitals, Fuvahmulah Hospital and Baa Atoll Hospital, enabling more people to access breast cancer screening closer to home.

She said around 750 people have benefited from the service so far, while work is underway to introduce mammography services at Shaviyani Atoll Hospital, Haa Alifu Atoll Hospital and Gaafu Alifu Atoll Hospital.

Minister Geela also revealed that the Government plans to introduce cervical cancer screening services in all atolls as part of efforts to strengthen early detection of cancer.

Highlighting improvements in cancer treatment, the minister said chemotherapy services are now available in the Maldives through Hulhumalé Hospital and Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). She noted that 655 patients received chemotherapy at Hulhumalé Hospital in 2025, while only 39 patients required treatment abroad during the same period.

She added that a five-bed oncology unit has already been established at Hulhumalé Hospital, with visiting specialists from Amrita Hospital in India regularly travelling to the Maldives to provide treatment and support local healthcare services.

The minister said the Government's long-term objective is to establish a dedicated cancer hospital in the Maldives while expanding specialised services such as PET scans and radiation therapy.

She also noted that heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the country, adding that the Government continues to strengthen cardiac services through the National Cardiac Centre to reduce the need for overseas treatment.