President: IGMH cancer treatment center to open in matter of weeks

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said that the cancer treatment department would be opened in State-hospital Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) within the next one-and-a-half-month period.

President Yameen made the announcement in his speech during his official visit to Fuvahmulah City, last Monday; in which he commented that cancer was the most widespread non-communicable diseases in the country, and one which people spent a large amount of money on for treatment.

Yameen said that a cancer treatment department being opened in IGMH – the largest State-run hospital in the country, located in Male’ – would lessen a huge burden on Maldivian cancer patients and their families.

“God willing, a cancer testing and cancer treatment system or department will be established in IGMH within the remaining one-and-a-half months of this year. This is not something we hoped possible. Such things required strenuous and long treatments from abroad by taking along family or anyone else who is able to go. Such treatment isn’t easy on anyone,” he said.

As IGMH readies to open a cancer treatment department in the hospital, it also opened a chemotherapy suite at the hospital earlier this year, on February 4.

President Yameen also spoke about the cath lab established in IGMH for heart patients.

He said that an average of 30 to 40 people got treated at the cath lab each day.

Ministry of Health has initiated special efforts to upgrade the quality and scope of services offered at IGMH.