One person visits Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) for stroke treatment every 16 hours, according to a neurologist at the government’s main hospital.
In a video shared on social media today as part of a stroke awareness campaign, IGMH neurologist Dr Salman Nizam said a person is brought to the hospital for stroke treatment every 16 hours.
He did not provide further details on the number of cases or the period covered by the figure.
In an earlier response to questions submitted by Mihaaru News under the Right to Information Act, IGMH said 493 people had died from strokes between 2022 and December 15, 2025. Of these, 151 deaths were recorded in 2024 alone.
The first Maldivian doctor to specialize in brain and neurological diseases, Dr Ahmed Rasheed, has previously expressed concern over the number of stroke cases in the country.
“The number of strokes is worrying. There are strokes every day,” he told Mihaaru News in an interview four years ago.
Dr Rasheed said prompt medical attention was crucial, adding that treatment started within four hours and 30 minutes of a stroke could significantly improve a patient's condition.
“Most people recover completely. Most strokes are minor. So, most people have good recovery. A lot of people recover completely. If you have a major stroke, if you get there early, you can make 80-90 percent of the recovery, but sometime may not recover completely,” he said.
Recognizing symptoms of a stroke
Stroke symptoms often appear suddenly. Warning signs include:
- Sudden dizziness, difficulty walking, or loss of balance and coordination.
- Sudden blurred or double vision, or loss of sight in one or both eyes.
- Drooping or numbness on one side of the face. Ask the person to smile and check whether it is uneven.
- Weakness or numbness in one arm. Ask the person to raise both arms and check whether one drifts downwards.
- Slurred speech or difficulty understanding speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.
Anyone showing signs of a stroke should receive immediate medical attention.
