The first general practice (GP) clinic under the Malé Group of Hospitals will officially open its doors later this month, marking a significant step toward improving access to primary healthcare in the capital.
The new facility, located on Coral Boulevard in Maafannu, is designed to streamline patient access to general medical services without requiring prior referrals. According to the Group’s CEO, Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, the initiative aims to reduce congestion at major hospitals while ensuring faster and more direct care for patients with common ailments.
Speaking before Parliament’s Social Affairs Committee, Haleem noted that the clinic is part of a broader government strategy to strengthen the primary healthcare system. Under this approach, patients will be treated at the GP level and referred to specialists only when necessary.
The plan comes in response to rising strain on emergency departments—particularly at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), which sees more than 400 patients daily. Health Ministry data shows that nearly 300 of these cases are appropriate for general practice treatment and do not require emergency care or specialist intervention.
To address this imbalance and ease the burden on tertiary care institutions, the Government plans to establish four GP clinics across the Greater Malé region. These new centres are expected to offer a more efficient, patient-centric model for everyday medical needs.
Haleem also highlighted upcoming advancements in digital healthcare. The Malé Group of Hospitals is working to roll out telemedicine services, enabling patients—especially those from the atolls—to consult doctors remotely before traveling to Malé. This is expected to significantly cut down on travel costs and waiting times.
A pilot version of the telemedicine platform is already underway, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health and local service providers in selected islands. The service uses advanced technology to deliver high-quality consultations and aims to expand specialist access nationwide.
The GP clinic’s launch and telemedicine rollout are part of the current administration’s wider reforms to modernize the Maldives’ healthcare system and bring equitable, accessible care closer to communities.
