First Lady Fazna Ahmed has inaugurated the Mental Health Centre (MHC) established in Hulhumale' Hospital. She was accompanied by Vice President Faisal Naseem, Minister of Gender, Family and Social Service Aishath Mohamed Didi, and senior officials of Hulhumale' hospital.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, First Lady Fazna said that mental illness can only be provided if the staff of all departments of the hospital is compassionate and caring toward everyone. She also expressed hope the clinic will become an exemplary place in the treatment of patients by all departments.
The MHC established in collaboration with India-based Cadabams Hospitals is the second such mental health treatment centre to address the increasing mental illness in the Maldives. The centre will provide online appointments to Cadabams superspecialist doctors in India. In addition, the Child Development Centre and the MHC will provide special treatment to children and all other departments of the hospital will provide services for people suffering from mental illness to receive assistance. The available treatments include stress management and online therapy.
The government's strategic action plan for 2019-2023 includes working with national health insurance provider Aasandha Company Limited to increase the number of mental health professionals in the country. In this regard, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih inaugurated the country's first Centre for Mental Health in 2019.