OPD closed at govt hospitals in Male’ area in wake of flooding

Four government hospitals in the Maldivian capital shut down Outpatient Department (OPD) services on Sunday, a day after torrential rain caused extensive flooding.

Hours-long torrential rain on Saturday caused severe flooding in Male’ and several other islands in central Maldives. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has declared Sunday a public holiday with the bad weather conditions expected to prevail until at least Monday.

In a statement on Sunday morning, the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) announced that the OPD will be closed for the day at the the hospital, as the Dharumavantha Hospital, Hulhumale’ Hospital and Vilimale’ Hospital.

މާރޗް 2 ވާ އާދިއްތަ ދުވަހު (މިއަދު) އޯ.ޕީ.ޑީތައް ބަންދުވުމާއި ގުޅޭ pic.twitter.com/bgIFRY8Ggz

— IGMH (@igmhmv) March 2, 2025

According to IGMH, the decision was made because Sunday has been declared a public holiday and because flooding in the areas near the hospitals make it difficult for patients to travel to and from the hospital.

While the OPD may be closed, Inpatient Department (IPD) and emergency services remain online.