President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has inaugurated Dr. N.D. Abdulla Abdul Hakeem Ophthalmology Centre, named after the first Maldivian Ophthalmologist. The centre was inaugurated at a special function held in Hulhumale' Hospital.
Dr. N.D. Abdulla Abdul Hakeem Ophthalmology Centre was established with generous support from the Government of China to strengthen the ophthalmic services in Maldives. Medical equipment, medicine and medical consumables worth more than USD 700,000 was donated by the Chinese Government to establish the centre under an agreement signed in July 2019.
The ophthalmic centre will provide sophisticated ophthalmic services and deliver treatment for complicated eye conditions. In addition, China will provide training opportunities for Maldivian doctors, nurses and other health professionals, who will be working at the ophthalmology centre along with Chinese ophthalmologists and nurses.
Speaking at the function held to inaugurate the ophthalmic centre, Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen said the ophthalmology is a neglected field in Maldives, adding the establishment of the new centre is a major boost for Maldivian healthcare.
Meanwhile, Ambassador of China to Maldives Zhang Lizhong said the Chinese government is always ready to assist in the development of Maldives. Noting the centre is the first establishment under the agreement signed between the Government of Maldives and the Health Commission of China, the ambassador said this was an important project carried out by the two countries and an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Prior to the opening of Dr. N.D. Adulla Abdul Hakeem Ophthalmic Centre, an eye camp was conducted from January 8 to 11 at Hulhumale' Hospital with assistance from Zongshan Ophthalmic Centre and the Chinese Government. More than 521 patients' eyes were screened during the camp, and 74 eye operations were conducted.
The Chinese Government has supported the conduction of similar eye camps in Maldives in 2015 and 2017 through the Bright Journey project. More than 1,000 patients were screened and 186 cataract surgeries were conducted during these camps. Medical equipment worth more than USD 600,000 was donated by the Chinese Government as a part of these camps.
The ophthalmic centre plans to conduct eye camps across the country.