President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has inaugurated the optical shop established at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).
The optical shop at IGMH was opened to provide relief for the high expenses citizens incur for eyeglasses. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced the start of eyeglass services under Male’ City Group of Hospitals in May.
At the inauguration ceremony of the IGMH optical shop, the President toured the facility and handed over glasses to the first three customers.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ibrahim Abdurazzaq Haleem, CEO of Male’ City Group of Hospitals, said that many services are being established in hospitals during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s term. He stated that the newly opened optical shop would bring convenience to citizens in many ways.
Abdurazzaq said that modern equipment has been installed at the IGMH optical shop. In addition to prescription and lens services, many other services will be available. He mentioned that every Maldivian citizen can get free glasses within the 2000 rufiyaa covered by Aasandha.
Abdurazzaq said that this service will be established at Hulhumale’ Hospital in August to serve residents there. “In the coming days, we will also provide optical services in 5 regional hospitals in the atolls in addition to Male’,” said Ibrahim Abdurazzaq Haleem, CEO of Male’ City Group of Hospitals.
Until now, government health facilities have not provided eyeglass services. However, citizens have been receiving insurance for eyeglasses through health insurance. Initially, 1000 rufiyaa was provided every two years, but now the government has decided to provide 2000 rufiyaa insurance.
While eyeglasses are essential for everyday life, getting them has become a significant expense in the Maldives. To alleviate this burden on citizens, an optical shop was opened at IGMH today, and Male’ City Group of Hospitals says an optical shop will also open at Hulhumale’ Hospital in the future. They also mentioned that work is underway to extend this service to regional hospitals in the atolls.
According to Aasandha statistics, over 36 million rufiyaa was disbursed through Aasandha for eyeglasses to more than 36,000 people in 2024.
