Govt’s optical in high-demand with 361 customers in three days

Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) states the government’s optical outlet opened at the hospital is in high-demand with 361 people waitlisted for the service in three days.

Male' City Group of Hospitals (MCGH) Opticals outlet at IGMH was inaugurated on Sunday to facilitate making free prescription glasses under Aasandha.

When the optical began issuing appointments on Monday, people lined up in huge queues until 22:00pm that night. An IGMH official told Sun on Wednesday that 80 people name noted for the service on that day alone.

Meanwhile, a total of 361 people have name noted for the service over the past three days.

According to the official, customers can name note for the service by contacting the optical at 3335150 or by visiting the shop. The official noted that special arrangements have been made for elderly, which ensures they do not have to wait in a queue. 

MCGH Opticals was inaugurated by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

Speaking at the launch ceremony held at IGMH on Sunday, MCGH CEO Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem said the service will be launched at Hulhumale Hospital next month and will be expanded to regional hospitals in the near future.

Therefore, people from all parts of the country will be able to get their prescription glasses done for free, he said.

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 Aasandha 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.