Hulhumalé Hospital has begun issuing new prescriptions for those acquiring treatment for long-term or chronic illnesses.

The hospital revealed that this was done as a precautionary measure against the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) which has been spreading at a dangerously alarming rate throughout the globe and emerged in the Maldives on 7 March.

Since then, Maldives has seen 32 confirmed cases and a lockdown has been declared across the Greater Malé Region after the discovery of the first cluster cases of community spread. The lockdown is effective for a fortnight.

As such, the change was brought as it is unsafe for those seeking treatment for a chronic illness to visit hospitals these days.

These patients may send their latest prescriptions through Viber upon which new ones will be prescribed to them under the set protocol.

Under the protocol, patients are required to send a copy of their ID cards and their latest prescriptions to the Viber number 9130495 after which new prescription will be penned and sent to them.

The hospital noted that this service is only available for those who suffer from chronic illnesses.

For further information, individuals are required to contact 1417.

This comes at a time ADK Hospital has also begun delivering medications for those chronic patients, upon receiving their prescriptions.

Further, at the end of March, the unsafe for those seeking treatment for a chronic illness to visit hospitals these days.

Began issuing medications for those seeking medications for a long-term illnesses, through old prescriptions.