Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen has stated the ministry has thus far been unable to send a gynecologist and a pediatrician to Makunudhoo due to lack of space in the hospital for consultations.
Launching gynecology and a pediatrician services in the island in Haa Dhaalu Atoll is an electoral pledge of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. When summoned to the parliament for questioning regarding the matter, Health Minister Ameen said the pledge has not yet been fulfilled as the hospital needs an additional consultation room.
The minister said new services cannot begin with the current capacity, noting the hospital has one consultation room. He further said the services could not begin in 2019 due to budget constraints, adding the project would be assigned to the island council next week.
The health minister was also questioned about the date when the services will begin. In response, Health Minister Ameen said the services will begin once the new consultation room is completed. The minister said a pediatrician and a gynecologist requires additional facilities to better cater to the needs of the patients and the result would not be positive even if a doctor has been sent to an island with no proper facilities developed. He said all health centres and hospitals currently experience lack of space and facilities.
This was the third time Health Minister Ameen had been summoned to the parliament for questioning.