IGMH to open affordable prescription glasses shop this month

Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) will launch its own prescription glasses shop later this month, CEO Ibrahim Haleem confirmed today.

The move follows President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s May announcement to tackle high prices in the private eyewear market by offering fair-priced alternatives at the state-run hospital. The shop will provide both prescription glasses and prescription services. Customers may also bring prescriptions from outside the hospital.

Haleem told Mihaaru that IGMH will source frames and lenses from abroad, ensuring prices do not exceed the MVR 2,000 allowance now provided under Aasandha every two years—up from MVR 1,000 previously. A workshop to repair glasses will also be part of the new facility.

Currently, while IGMH treats eye conditions, it does not offer vision correction services. This gap has left the market to private providers, often criticized for inflated pricing.

President Muizzu, speaking with PSM, emphasized his commitment to protecting the public from exploitative practices. “No matter how unhappy private sellers may be, they’ll now have to compete fairly,” he said. “This move ensures people receive affordable care without being taken advantage of.”