Vice President Faisal Naseem has affirmed the Ungoofaaru Regional Hospital on the administration’s commitment to addressing the challenges in providing healthcare services in the region, including issues related to sea ambulance services and access to medicine and other pharmaceutical products.

VP Naseem made the statement at the meeting he held with the management of the Ungoofaaru Regional Hospital, on Sunday.

The meeting held at in Ungoofaaru Island of Raa Atoll, as the last leg of his four-island tour of the atoll, saw extensive discussions about the administration’s healthcare sector developmental plans for the Raa Atoll region.

As such, the meeting saw the Vice President briefing the hospital management about the administration’s plans to expand and strengthen healthcare services provided at the hospital, including installing new equipment and introducing new services.

Additionally, VP Naseem highlighted that, the number of patients seeking services at the hospital would significantly increase, with the proposed introduction of Raajje Transport Link ferry services in the region. He also noted the importance of providing specialized treatments at the facility.

Briefing the Vice President about the hospital operations, the management team noted the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in the region, requiring referrals to facilities in Malé City. They also emphasized on the importance of capacity building simultaneous with infrastructure and service improvement efforts.

Before the meeting, the Vice President toured the facility, met with the staff, and called on some patients. He also visited the project site of the hospital’s extension building and inspected the progress.

The extension project is part of the administration’s plans to develop tertiary hospitals in five regions across the country.