The National Thalassaemia Centre has begun providing services on Fridays, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced, marking a change to the centre’s operating schedule for the first time since it opened in 1994.

In a message shared on social media, the President said the centre, which opened on 29 December 1994, had not previously provided official services on Fridays. He said the new arrangement took effect on Friday, 20 February 2026.

According to the President, 14 blood transfusions were carried out on the first Friday of operations, with five donors providing blood. He said blood donation services will continue to be provided during designated hours on Fridays after the end of Ramadan to allow patients and donors travelling from the atolls to access the services over the weekend.

Thalassaemia services have undergone a series of reforms under the current Administration, including the transfer of both the Thalassaemia Centre and Maldives Blood Services under the administration of Malé City Group of Hospitals to improve coordination and access to resources across the public health system. Earlier this month, thalassaemia DNA testing services were introduced at Maldives Blood Services under Malé City Group of Hospitals, marking the first time the service has been made available at a State-operated facility.

Less than a month after assuming office, President Dr Muizzu approved a Cabinet decision to provide free bone marrow transplants and expand medical services for thalassaemia patients. Moreover, a ten-year Thalassaemia Master Plan was also launched within the first year of the administration, outlining measures to strengthen governance, early detection and long-term patient care. 

The Government has also introduced a MVR 2,000 allowance for thalassemia patients and announced plans to establish a dedicated Thalassaemia Hospital as part of efforts to expand specialised healthcare services in the Maldives.