Ungoofaaru Regional Hospital has revealed that the work to upgrade the hospital will be completed in August.
Developing health facilities in the atolls is one of the highest priorities of the administration. The initiative aims to reduce the reliance on the Greater Male’ Region and allow atoll residents to receive medical treatment and healthcare services near their residential islands. As such, the government has pledged to develop tertiary hospitals in six regions, including in Ungoofaaru, Raa Atoll.
A contractor was hired in 2021 to construct an extension building in Ungoofaaru Regional Hospital to upgrade it to a tertiary hospital at a cost of USD4.7 million. The extension building of Ungoofaaru Hospital will be built up to three stories. The ground floor will include emergency rooms and radiology department, with CT scanning, X-ray, ultrasound, mammography and MRI services. The first floor will include two operation theatres and a laboratory, while the second floor will include a physiotherapy department and private rooms.
Speaking to PSM News, Manager at Ungoofaaru Hospital Ibrahim Zayaan said the contractor is working to complete construction by August 10. He said that the extension building will be used to expand services for the emergency room (ER) and increase the testing capacity in order to increase efficiency. He said that the hospital currently consists of six private rooms and two ER beds but that the new building will consist of 10 ER beds and 10 private rooms.
Ungoofaaru Hospital sees a daily average of 400 consultations at the outpatient department (OPD) and recorded 62,000 consultations last year. Zayaan said that the hospital has experienced challenges in conducting tests efficiently but that the extension building will solve the issues related to capacity with a new ultrasound scanner, CT scanner, and X-Ray machine. He noted Ungoofaaru Hospital will also introduce MRI services and open a physio department upon completion of the extension building.
The contractor is now completing the finishing works of the extension building, including installation of utility services and laying tiles, as well as procuring the medical equipment for the extension building. Ungoofaaru Hospital stated that all services at the building will be available by November.