A new Government-operated optical shop and a catheterisation laboratory (Cath Lab) has been opened at Addu Equatorial Hospital on 7 February 2026.

The facilities were inaugurated by Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim during a ceremony held in Addu City, attended by Chief Executive Officer of Malé City Group of Hospitals (MCGH) Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, Chief Executive Officer of Addu Equatorial Hospital Dr Ibrahim Yasir Ahmed.

Speaking at the event, MCGH CEO Haleem said the establishment of the Cath Lab in Addu City would significantly reduce the need for patients from Addu and the southern atolls to travel to Malé for cardiac diagnostic and interventional services. He added that the optical shop, developed as a joint initiative between MCGH and Addu Equatorial Hospital, would ease the financial burden on patients requiring prescription eyewear, similar to services already provided through government optical outlets in Malé.

CEO Haleem said the MCGH optical service has so far served 12,988 people nationwide, with 12,056 individuals receiving the service at Government expense. He noted that demand remains strong, with dozens of patients seeking optical services daily.

He also said work is underway to address issues related to laboratory testing, including arrangements to reduce the need for samples to be sent to private laboratories in Malé with co-payments from patients. According to CEO Haleem, efforts are being made to route such tests to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) to ease costs for the public.

During the ceremony, an agreement was signed between IGMH and Addu Equatorial Hospital to provide technical support and maintenance services for the Cath Lab and the optical shop, ensuring the continued operation of the new facilities.