Male’ area hospitals see high traffic as diarrhea and vomiting cases increase

Hospitals in Male’ area are seeing extremely high traffic due to an increase in diarrhea and vomiting cases.

The main government hospital, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), told Sun on Tuesday that it has been observing a rise in flu-related consultations for some time now. As a result, the hospital set up a dedicated flu clinic on December 18. However, the hospital could not pinpoint when exactly diseases spiked. 

Hulhumale’ Hospital also confirmed a rise in flu consultations, and a rise in diarrhea and vomiting-related consultations since the schools reopened for the new academic year last week.

The hospital particularly noted an increase in child patients.

The high traffic in government hospitals is always accompanied by complaints of long queues and delayed services.

The school holidays saw thousands of Maldivians travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah pilgrimage. There is always a spike in diseases when pilgrims return.

According to December’s health statistics, 28,610 patients consulted with flu and 2,931 patients consulted with diarrhea. 

Health experts have always urged the public to take precautionary measures during periods of increased diseases including wearing masks and frequently washing hands.