Hulhumale' Hospital has set up a separate doctor's room to treat expatriates due to the spread of a viral fever.
A message about the waiting list for the "Expat OPD" at the Hulhumale' Hospital is circulating on social media. The hospital has been criticized by many social media users for alleged racial discrimination.
When asked about the matter, a spokesperson for the hospital told Adhadhu that a separate doctor's room had been arranged for expatriates due to the spread of a viral fever.
The media official denied allegations of racial discrimination and said the arrangement would make it easier for expatriates to access services as they will be seen by doctors who can speak their language.
"We allocated a separate room. It will be very convenient for them when we allocate a doctor who speaks their language. We are not missing anything technically and we are providing equal services to both the locals and expatriates," the spokesperson said.
The media official added that the Hulhumale' Hospital has also informed the Health Protection Agency (HPA) about the spread of viral fever among expatriates. The aim is not to discriminate but to provide prompt service, the official stated.
"There is a viral outbreak among them these days. A lot of people are getting ill and coming together. Around 20 to 30 people are coming from the sites. We are trying to prioritize them and provide them services," the media official said.
Public Interest Law Center (PILC) Executive Board Member Abdullah Nahid told Adhadhu that when providing basic services such as medical care, people should not be discriminated against based on their country of origin or other circumstances.
“Discrimination in the provision of health services to expatriates, who work with us and fully participate in the development of the country, is unacceptable,” Nahid said.
Expatriates should be able to get health services in the same queue and under the same procedures as Maldivians, he said.
Many social media users have also expressed concern over the separate OPD for expatriates at Hulhumale' Hospital.
"This makes them wait in line for a long time. There are about 60 people in line," one person wrote in a post on X.
Discrimination against expatriates has always been a concerning issue in the Maldives. In June last year, the Male' city council imposed a fee on foreign workers and tourists to enter parks.
