The Hulhumalé Dialysis Centre has been officially inaugurated, significantly enhancing access to essential treatment for individuals with chronic kidney disease.

The centre was inaugurated by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu at a ceremony held on Sunday at the Orange Hiya building in Hulhumalé.

Established under Hulhumalé Hospital and operated by the Malé City Group of Hospitals, the facility features 30 dialysis beds, making it one of the largest in the country.

Dialysis treatment in Hulhumalé was first introduced in 2012 with just four beds. Speaking at the ceremony, CEO of Malé City Group of Hospitals, Ibrahim Haleem Abdul Razzaq, noted that despite rising demand, the unit’s capacity had only increased to ten beds over the years, leaving many patients facing long waiting times and limited access to care.

Haleem highlighted that under the current Administration, efforts were expedited to resolve such long-standing issues. He credited President Dr Muizzu’s guidance and leadership in addressing critical gaps in the healthcare system. With the expanded facility now operational, he said, a permanent solution to the dialysis queueing problem in Hulhumalé has been achieved.

The opening of the Hulhumalé Dialysis Centre is part of a nationwide initiative to establish at least one dialysis centre in every atoll by September 2025. Dialysis services have recently been launched at several regional hospitals, including:

Dialysis is now available in all but five atolls, Alifu Alifu, Alifu Dhaalu, Vaavu, Faafu, and Dhaalu, which are scheduled to receive services later this year, completing the Government’s target of nationwide dialysis coverage.

The inauguration is central to President Dr Muizzu’s pledge to reduce Maldivians’ reliance on overseas treatment by improving local healthcare infrastructure. To support this goal, the Government is currently implementing healthcare development projects worth over MVR 400 million across the country.