Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim has announced that dialysis services will be launched in Thaa Atoll next month.

The announcement was made during the handover ceremony of new health facilities to contractors on Friday. Minister Nazim confirmed that preparations are already underway to begin offering the service, which will benefit patients suffering from kidney-related illnesses.

Earlier, the Minister had also pledged to expand dialysis services to both Thaa and Noonu Atolls in response to growing demand. Health statistics show that a considerable number of Maldivians suffer from kidney diseases, with many requiring dialysis on a regular basis, in some cases every day.

At present, only a limited number of hospitals across the Maldives offer dialysis treatment. This has forced patients to travel long distances or even relocate entirely to islands where such services are available

The Government has been working to address this gap by decentralising dialysis services. In February this year, the service was introduced in Haa Alifu Ihavandhoo, with plans to expand it to more islands across the Maldives.