Laboratory services commence at Dhiffushi Health Centre

Laboratory services commenced at K. Dhiffushi Health Centre on Wednesday, with the official opening of a laboratory at the health establishment.

The laboratory was inaugurated by State Minister for Health Ahmed Adhil.

Testing services that will be provided through the laboratory include sugar profile, lipid profile, renal profile, liver produce, cardiac profile, electrolyte, bone profile, cytology and complete blood count.

Health Ministry detailed that as a result, diagnosing diabetes, cardiac diseases, blood pressure and kidney disease will be made easier at the health centre, paving way for early intervention.

Apart from these tests, the Ministry noted that tests with respect to diagnosing common mosquito-borne diseases in the Maldives such as dengue and regular tests which pregnant women must undertake will also be facilitated at the laboratory.

They also noted that arrangements will soon be made at Dhiffushi Health Centre to carry out blood transfusions for Thalassemia patients, so that they will not have to travel out of the island to acquire the service.

In addition to the laboratory, an emergency treatment centre was also inaugurated at Dhiffushi Health Centre today.

Commenting on the inauguration of a laboratory at the health centre, Dhiffushi Health Centre’s Senior Administrator, Health Service, Hussain Rabeeu told Sun that residents from the island had to travel to Male’ City or Thulusdhoo for most basic tests previously.

He detailed the return travel would cost a resident approximately MVR 700 to MVR 1,000 every time.

Therewith, he stressed the inauguration of a laboratory at the health centre has brought happiness to Dhiffushi residents as they could remain on their own island for the most basic health tests.

“An ER has also been established here now.  Emergency Room setup has also been completed to the extent that services can be provided there from now on. Emergency services will be provided here with the latest equipment normally used in the Maldives,” he detailed.

Noting that the establishment of the laboratory was an electoral pledge of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Rabeeu thanked the president and his administration on behalf of Dhiffushi residents for fulling the pledge before the term’s end.