Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) has opened a mental health ward to facilitate admission of mental health patients.
IGMH stated the new mental health ward was opened on June 27. IGMH the new ward was opened with 9 beds for admission, as well as a de-escalation room with the facilities to treat patients under severe psychological distress. The hospital added the ward also has exercise machines for patients.
The Centre for Mental Health was established at IGMH in 2019. The establishment of the Centre for Mental Health saw an increase in people seeking psychological treatment, with over 44,000 mental health patients recorded during 2019 compared to an annual average of 10,000-35,000 during previous years.
The prevalence of psychological issues increased in the Maldives amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a detailed study is yet to be conducted on mental health issues in the Maldives.