IGMH says public confidence in local cardiac care has grown

Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) says public confidence in cardiac treatment available in the Maldives has increased over the past decade, reducing the need for patients to seek care overseas.

The hospital made the remarks on Sunday during a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of its National Cardiac Centre.

Speaking at the event, Senior Consultant and Subspecialist in Cardiology Dr Miqdad Shareef said that before the establishment of the centre, patients requiring specialised cardiac treatment had to be referred abroad.

He said doctors were previously limited to stabilising patients with medication before arranging overseas treatment.

"But this isn't something that can be managed with medication alone. Back then, many people passed away or continued to suffer long-term complications from the illness due to the lack of timely treatment," Dr Miqdad said.

According to Dr Miqdad, public confidence in cardiac services within the Maldives was initially limited, with many patients choosing to travel overseas after learning they required procedures such as angiograms.

He said this trend has changed over time, with many patients now returning to the Maldives for treatment after receiving assessments abroad.

"In that regard, we have now earned the trust of the Maldivian people," he said.

Dr Miqdad said Dr Ali Shafeeq was the first Maldivian cardiologist to provide cardiac care in the country. However, he noted that treatment options at the time were limited, with most patients still requiring referral to hospitals overseas.

He said developing cardiac services in the Maldives presented several challenges, including limited cooperation from some foreign hospitals that had previously treated Maldivian patients.

The National Cardiac Centre was established in 2016 following the introduction of a cardiac catheterisation laboratory.

According to Dr Miqdad, Dr Shafeeq initially managed the centre with support from visiting cardiologist Dr Prathap. He later joined the team, and the centre now has six cardiologists, all of whom are Maldivian.

He said the number of patients treated and the range of procedures carried out at the centre have increased over the years, alongside the introduction of new equipment and facilities.

IGMH said the expansion of cardiac services has reduced the number of patients referred overseas for treatment. The hospital also stated that mortality from cardiovascular disease in the Maldives is now below the global average.