IGMH commences peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion surgery

The main government hospital, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), has successfully completed the first peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion surgery.

Male’ City Group of Hospital (MCGH)’s CEO Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, via a post on X on Saturday, underscored that the hospital has been providing peritoneal dialysis was 18 months. He explained that peritoneal dialysis allows patients to undergo dialysis treatment while in the comfort of their own homes and islands, without any pain and safely using a machine.

Moreover, he added that the hospital, in a first, has successfully completed the first peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion surgery – officially commencing the service as well. The surgery involves the insertion of a soft tube through a small incision, the peritoneal dialysis catheter, into the abdominal cavity to allow dialysis fluid to flow in and out. The surgery can be done using open or minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques, with the catheter tunneled under the skin to an exit site on the abdomen.  

Haleem detailed that the surgery was conducted by a special team of Maldivian doctors trained in the fields of surgery, urology, anesthesia and nephrology.

According to Haleem, IGMH is presently holding additional training sessions related to the service.

He described the commencement of the service as a notable achievement in the Maldivian sector.

There has been a rise in patients requiring dialysis in the Maldives with the government working on introducing modern technology in the provision of the service.