Current govt has done the most for thalassaemia patients: Nazim

Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim on Sunday has said that the current government has put the greatest efforts in helping thalassaemia patients in the Maldives.

All the operations of the Thalassaemia Centre were formally shifted to Orange Hiyaa in Hulhumale’ Phase I on Sunday. Orange Hiyaa was officially inaugurated by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during a ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

The president was accompanied by the Minister of Health Nazim, Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, senior officers of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and seniors of Male’ City Group of Hospitals.

After inauguration, President Muizzu took a tour of the facility and met with the patients who were present.

While speaking at Sunday’s ceremony, Minister Nazim stressed on the prospective efforts required to address the challenges faced by thalassaemia patients but highlighted the numerous achievements.

Nazim thanked President Muizzu for solving the issues faced by thalassaemia patients who had to visit a rundown facility for their blood transfusions and other services until now.

He also thanked the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, and the Maldivian Blood Services for their collaborative efforts in solving the issues.

The new thalassaemia facility is located on the fourth floor of Orange Hiyaa building in Hulhumale’.

The facility features a general ward with 12 beds, a special ward for children with six beds, and another ward specific for women with seven beds. The facility also features a counselling rom to provide psycho-social support for patients.

Consultation services are available every day except Fridays between 08:00hrs and 20:30hrs. Blood donation services are available between 08:00hrs and 19:30hrs every day except Fridays.

The facility also provides thalassaemia screening and thalassaemia card issuance services.

The thalassaemia centre in Male’ was opened in 1994 but has been a topic of concern among thalassaemia patients and their families owing to its rundown conditions and lack of equipment.

Development of a modernized centre for thalassaemia patients is among the top pledges of President Muizzu. Since assuming office, the president launched efforts to develop Orange Hiyaa for this purpose.

In March, President Muizzu tasked the MNDF to complete the Orange Hiyaa facility citing it was of national and public importance as majority of the facility remained unfinished.

MNDF took charge in completing the facility on March 28, and continued work under the direct supervision of Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan.

A design team consisting of military engineers repurposed the facility to make it appealing and hospitable for patients.

Thalassaemia centre’s operations were transferred to Orange Hiyaa and brought under the mandate of the Ministry of Health on May 8, 2025.