Six children in ICU with the flu

A leading pediatrician at Maldives’ main state hospital says that there are currently six children receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after developing serious illness from the flu. 

Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH)'s consultant pediatrician Dr. Ahmed Faisal’s remarks comes amid a rise in cases of the flu and viral fever in the greater Male’ region over the past few months. 

Records show IGMH’s flu clinic has received some 100 patients on a daily basis over the last two weeks. 

The hospital opened its flu clinic on September 26. 

The flu clinic has seen 90-140 patients per day between October 13-25. The vast majority are locals, with 3-5 expatriates daily. 

In a tweet on Thursday morning, Faisal stressed that children and people with pre-existing medical conditions are vulnerable to developing serious complications from the flu. 

He urged the public to take preventive measures. 

Faisal urged people to remember to wash hands frequently, limit outsiders from visiting homes to see children, and avoid crowds. 

Health Protection Agency (HPA) issued a statement of a significant increase in cases of viral fever in flu in the greater Male’ region over the past three months back in September. 

Those with flu-symptoms have been asked to avoid going to the general OPDs in hospitals and go to flu clinics instead. 

IGMH’s flu clinic – located at the former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) building – is open from 08:30 am to 10:00 pm. Meanwhile, the Fever GOPD at ADK Hospital is open from 04:00 pm to 10:00 pm.