IGMH opens prescription glasses outlet

The government has officially launched its free prescription glasses service at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) on Sunday.

The service was inaugurated by the President Dr Mohamed Muizzu at a ceremony held at IGMH.

Speaking at the ceremony, Male' City Group of Hospitals CEO Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem said the outlet will have the latest machinery and will provide all the services of prescription glasses and powered-lens making.

Haleem stated that with these machines, eye pressure can be monitored, and glaucoma can also be detected at an early stage.

“And within the set limit of MVR 2,000 that Aasandha has allocated, every Maldivian citizen will have the opportunity to get free glasses,” he said.

Haleem said the service will be launched at the Hulhumale Hospital next month and will be expanded to regional hospitals in the near future.

While government hospitals treat various eye diseases, the service of making prescription glasses is new. This service has always been provided by the private sector in Maldives. Glasses are expensive to purchase and repair in the Maldives and Aasandha had been allotting only MVR 1,000 for it.

However, since the general public had to spend thousands out of their own pockets even after deducting the MVR 1,000 Aasandha allotment, complaints began to rise.

The amount has since been increased to MVR 2,000 in June 2025 by President Muizzu. He also ordered the Male' City Group of Hospitals to start making prescription glasses under Aasandha as well.