Addu Equatorial Hospital has inaugurated a medical internship programme, becoming the first institution in the atolls to offer this essential stage of clinical training. The programme commenced last Wednesday, marking a pivotal expansion of medical training opportunities beyond the capital, Malé.
The one-year internship is a compulsory requirement for medical graduates prior to their entry into permanent service as licensed physicians. Until recently, this critical phase of professional development was confined to government hospitals in Malé, specifically Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and Dharumavantha Hospital, reflecting a longstanding concentration of training resources in the capital region.
The launch of the programme in Addu City signals a strategic shift in national healthcare policy. By extending internship placements to the southern atolls, the government aims to broaden access to medical education and address regional disparities in the availability of clinical training.
That shift has coincided with a wider effort to expand internship opportunities across the country. The Ministry of Health has designated several additional facilities to host medical interns, diversifying the landscape of professional training. While Dharumavantha Hospital remains a principal site, both IGMH and ADK Hospital also offer internships. Hulhumalé Hospital is in the process of establishing its internship programme.