The Thalassemia Centre is poised to recruit a Maldivian hematologist to lead the centre from June, marking a pivotal milestone in the nation's ongoing efforts to enhance care for patients with inherited blood disorders.
The announcement was made by Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, the Chief Executive Officer of Male' City Group of Hospitals (MCGH), during commemorations marking Thalassemia Day.
According to CEO Abdul Razzaq, the government has been diligently working to strengthen and expand the services provided to Thalassemia patients across the country. The Thalassemia Centre underwent a strategic relocation to Orange Hiyaa, in Hulhumale’ in May last year, a move designed to improve accessibility and service delivery for patients requiring specialized care. The establishment of a dedicated Thalassemia Patient Care Centre and the introduction of a special allowance for Thalassemia patients, effective from January this year, underscore the administration's commitment to supporting affected families and ensuring comprehensive healthcare coverage.
"The center initiated internal medicine services from May 2025, with a specialist doctor already recruited to staff these critical functions. We are pleased to announce that the Thalassemia Centre will begin providing services under the supervision of a Maldivian hematologist in June, with collaborative support from IGMH. Furthermore, we anticipate launching an on-call service for pediatric patients within the next ten days,” he explained.
The CEO confirmed that the official service launch of NET testing is scheduled before the end of July, describing it as "a historic step to bring blood safety up to international standards."
Beyond these immediate developments, Abdul Razzaq outlined an ambitious expansion plan for the current year. A scan for liver fibrosis will be introduced at the centre, addressing a critical monitoring need for Thalassemia patients who often face complications related to iron overload from regular blood transfusions. Additionally, on-call services for women's health conditions and other essential medical services will become available throughout the year.
The CEO also revealed recent demographic developments, noting that four Thalassemia children have been born this year. To support comprehensive Thalassemia control, a special system providing vital information and guidance—including pre-marital counseling—will be introduced to help reduce the incidence of the disorder through informed family planning. In a related digital transformation initiative, the special register of blood donors will be digitised and launched this year, a development he said will streamline the donation process for both donors and recipients.