Addu Cath Lab to be operated by IGMH, services to begin Wednesday

The cardiac catheterization laboratory (Cath Lab) at Equatorial Hospital in Addu City will be operated in collaboration with Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), with services set to begin on Wednesday.

Equatorial Hospital had initially planned to outsource the operation of the Cath Lab and start services in October last year.

A tender announced in June 2024 attracted interest from seven local and foreign companies. However, the process was cancelled after bidders failed to submit the required documents within the deadline for final proposals.

Following the cancellation, Equatorial Hospital CEO Dr Ibrahim Yasir said last month that discussions were underway to operate the facility under a new model. The hospital has now confirmed that the Cath Lab will be run in collaboration with IGMH.

Male’ City Group of Hospitals CEO Ibrahim Haleem is also scheduled to attend the launch ceremony.

The Cath Lab at IGMH, the country’s largest government hospital, is currently operated by Maldivian cardiologists, with around five heart specialists providing services.

The Addu Cath Lab was established in October 2023 during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, but remained unused for around one and a half years before becoming operational.

Dr Yasir previously said the facility will provide angiography as well as invasive and non-invasive cardiac procedures, significantly reducing the need to transfer patients to Male’ for heart-related treatment.