President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that Kulhudhuffushi City is pivotal to the northern region and that the government gives high precedence to the improvement of healthcare services offered at Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital (KRH). He made the statement while meeting the KRH management, late this afternoon at the hospital premises.
In the meeting, members of the senior management of the hospital conveyed that the people of Haa Dhaalu Atoll were appreciative of the government's developmental efforts focussed on the improvement of KRH. President Solih was briefed on the latest advancements made by the hospital in upgrading patient care, introducing new specialised healthcare and medical services to the region. KRH Management also shared difficulties faced and raised their concerns in effectively managing the facility.
Speaking at the meeting, the President said that Kulhudhuffushi is a central hub that is vital to service delivery in the region. He reiterated the government’s vision to develop tertiary level hospitals in five regions of the country aimed at improving nationwide healthcare. He added that the realisation of the vision would reduce public reliance on centralized healthcare services in the Malé region and that positive changes are already being seen in this regard.
President Solih also shared the latest details of the efforts underway to develop the hospital. He added that the government will continue to expand services offered at the KRH, before the establishment of the newly proposed tertiary level hospital in Kulhudhuffushi island. President Solih underscored the huge advancements made by the hospital in actualising the decentralised specialised healthcare envisioned by the government for the progress of healthcare in the atolls and applauded the hospital for their impressive strides made towards achieving this goal.
The KRH expansion project involves the addition of a 30-bed ward, with 6 ICU beds and a walkway. Another simultaneous expansion project prompts the addition of 23 consultation rooms to the existing ER facility in the hospital. The hospital recently introduced MRI and CT scan services as well as speech therapy sessions, with the inclusion of the freshly restarted mammography service along with several other healthcare services.
Apart from the expansion projects underway at KRH, the government has further pledged to build a new tertiary hospital in Kulhudhuffushi island. The project will soon be released for tender.
Prior to the meeting, President Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed toured KRH and inquired about the services offered at the hospital.
The first couple’s current visit to Kulhudhuffudhi City is the first leg of a 03-island trip to the north of the country. From Kulhudhuffushi City, the President and First Lady will visit Kumundhoo Island and then Hanimaadhoo Island of Haa Dhaalu Atoll. Cabinet Ministers and senior government officials are accompanying the President and First Lady on this trip.
