Fact check: Cath lab pledged for Addu already completed by former govt!

Apr 13, 2024, 2:02 PM
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and cath lab.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and cath lab.

During a campaign event in Addu City on Friday night, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu recalled some of his pledges to bring development to the southernmost city. He envisioned a future similar to Male' for Addu which has the second highest population in the Maldives.

He talked about the planned bridge in Addu and highlighted the airport development and coastal tourism projects. He also talked about the development in the health sector, including the establishment of a cath lab at Addu Equatorial Hospital (AEH).

“I promised to make this hospital into one that can provide the highest level of all services. This Hithadhoo hospital. So this hospital will need a lot of expansion and, for now, some of the things I pledged include the establishment of a cath lab and ward facility with the expansion and expansion of dialysis services and various therapies. A project including all these will be launched very soon," Muizzu said.

The President said the project would put an end to the people of Addu travelling to Male' to get medical services.

Cath lab was completed in October

The establishment of a cath lab at Addu Hospital was a project of the last Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government. Posts made on AEH's official X-account show that the cleaning and installation of the space for the cath lab began on September 29, 2023.

In a post on October 9, the hospital's former CEO, Dr. Solih observed the progress of the work. Photos at the time show that the cath lab equipment was already being installed.

The completion of the cath lab was announced on October 17, 2023, in a social media post. According to the post, the cath lab has been installed while the equipment has been tested and calibrated. The training was underway for the staff operating the equipment of the cath lab.

After this administration began work, ADK Hospital expressed interest in operating the cath lab, according to some media reports citing senior officials of ADK.

While President Muizzu pledged to open a cath lab in AEH, all the work for the cath lab has already been completed and the lab is ready for operations.

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