The new ophthalmology center has officially been inaugurated in capital city Malé’s suburban extension Hulhumalé.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih inaugurated the Dr N.D. Abdulla Abdul Hakeem Ophthalmology Center at Hulhumalé’ Hospital on Monday.

Named after the first-ever Maldivian ophthalmologist, the center will be providing high-quality services and treatment for even the most complicated eye conditions.

While the center was funded by the Chinese government in order to strengthen ophthalmology services provided in Maldives, China also donated equipment, medications and consumables worth over MVR 11.1 million. China and Maldives signed the agreement to open the center, during July 2019.

Chinese and Maldivian doctors, nurses and health professionals working at the center will be given training opportunities, said the government.

Before the ophthalmology center was officially inaugurated, an eye camp was also conducted at Hulhumalé Hospital with the cooperation from the Chinese government and China’s Zongshan Ophthalmic Centre.

Over 521 patients underwent eye screening during the camp, conducted from 8 – 11 January. Further, 74 eye operations were also carried out, some of which include lens surgeries and cataracts.

China has been a significant partner that has supported several eye camps in the country in 2015 and 2017 as well.

The two eye camps, conducted through the Bright Journey Project, saw consultations with over 1,000 patients and 186 cataract surgeries. Further the Chinese government also donated medical equipment worth over MVR 9.2 million as part of the eye camps.