President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has inaugurated “Dr N.D. Abdulla Abdul Hakeem Ophthalmology Centre”, named after the first Maldivian Ophthalmologist. The centre was inaugurated at a special function held in Hulhumale’ Hospital on Monday evening.
The centre was established with generous support from the Chinese Government to strengthen the ophthalmic services given in the Maldives, under an agreement signed between the governments of Maldives and China in July 2019. Medical equipment, medicine and medical consumables worth more than MVR 11.1 million was donated by the Chinese Government to establish this centre under the agreement. The ophthalmic centre will provide sophisticated ophthalmic services and deliver treatment for complicated eye conditions, including Glaucoma and Ocular Surface Disease.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives Zhang Lizhong said this is the first such centre being established under China aid anywhere in the world. He added that the establishment of the centre will provide ease to the citizens of the Maldives, as well as strengthen the relations between both countries.
While China will be providing training opportunities for Maldivian doctors, nurses and other health professionals in this area, who will be working at the ophthalmology centre along with Chinese ophthalmologists and nurses, Ambassador Zhang said the trainings are already underway, and added that experienced and skilled Chinese doctors will also be working at the centre.
Prior to the opening of Dr N.D. Abdulla Abdul Hakeem Ophthalmic Centre, an eye camp was conducted from 8th to 11th January 2020 at Hulhumale’ Hospital with assistance from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre and the Chinese Government. More than 521 patients’ eyes were screened during the camp, and 74 eye operations were conducted. Cataract, pterygium, Chalazion, Yag, IVI and Lens surgeries were the main types of procedures conducted at this camp.
According to the President's Office, the Chinese government has supported the conduction of similar eye camps in the Maldives in 2015 and 2017 through the Bright Journey project. More than 1000 patients were screened and 186 cataract surgeries were conducted during these two camps. Medical equipment worth more than 9.2 million Rufiyaa was donated by the Government of the People’s China as a part of these camps.
N.D Abdulla, after whom the eye centre was named, was the first opthalmologist of Maldives. He served as a doctor from 1964 to 2007. He passed away in 2016.
