The construction of an extension building with 36 beds and two intensive care unit (ICU) wards has been completed in Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital (KRH).
KRH is the largest hospital in the northern atolls of the Maldives and is seeing an increase in demand with 350-400 daily visits. The hospital serves a large population across the northern atolls, including 10,000 people in Kulhudhuffushi City and 16,000 people in the remaining 12 islands of Haa Dhaalu Atoll.
No major changes had been made since the opening of Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital. Manager Ahmed Daud said the challenges faced by the staff involve the lack of beds at the outpatient department (OPD) and ICU and expressed confidence that the new building will greatly improve healthcare services.
Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) was contracted to construct the ward building in 2020. The main purpose of the project was to increase the ICU beds at the hospital. The state-owned company has completed the construction of the building and all necessary equipment has been procured. The building will be handed over to KRH after the Ministry of Health completes its evaluation.
KRH currently has a bed capacity of 36, including 12 in the general ward, eight in the surgical ward, and 12 in the emergency room and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The new three-storey building consists of 30 rooms on two floors, with one floor specialised for ICU services with 6 beds.
MTCC is also developing the new OPD building in KRH and has completed 64% of the project. The scope of the project includes the construction of 21 consultation rooms, a cardiac centre, a reception area, and a waiting area. Manager Daud said the number of patient visits is increasing, which is making it difficult to make appointments as KRH currently has 11 consultation rooms.
Furthermore, the government is working to allocate land and complete the relevant work to develop KRH into a 100-bed tertiary hospital.