India kicks off first ever health expo in Maldives - Haveeru Online, Feb 13, 2016
Health minister Iruthisham Adam speaks at the ceremony held Friday evening to inaugurate the first health expo India is holding in the Maldives. HAVEERU PHOTO/ MOHAMED SHARUHAAN
India began Friday its first ever health expo in Maldives in a bid to ramp up the regional superpower's assistance to its island neighbour in order to strengthen its ailing health sector.
This marks the first health expo India is holding in the Maldives, with the participation of 18 hospitals of India, including famous names such as Apollo Hospitals, Ananthapuri Hospitals, Manipal Hospitals, NU Hospitals and Rajan Dental.
The expo, being held at the Dharubaaruge convention centre in capital Male was inaugurated jointly by health minister Iruthisham Adam and India’s top representative in Male Akilesh Mishra.
Speaking at the ceremony, the health minister hailed India’s assistance in improving the Maldives’ health sector, highlighting the fact that most of the foreign doctors in Maldives are Indian nationals.
“Holding a health expo in the Maldives, with the participation of major hospitals and specialists, will open new opportunities. It will also help in improving the Maldives’ health sector,” she said.
The minister also noted the strides Maldives has made in strengthening the health facilities available to its citizens.
At the ceremony, Indian high commissioner Mishra said it gives a great pleasure for his country to share the knowledge of its experts with other countries. He pledged India’s continued assistance in improving the Maldives’ health sector.
In addition to information on services available at the hospitals and expenses, the expo, which would go on till Monday, also offers medical appointments and discount packages to customers.
Meanwhile, a medical camp is scheduled to be held from Sunday till Tuesday at the state run Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Male. The camp will be run by a urologist (urinary system specialist), nephrologist (kidney specialist) and a specialist of body defects.
Patients wishing to consult the specialist may register via the special hotlines 3335146, 3335327 and 3335300.
The Indian high commission is also set to hold a special meeting with heads of Maldives hospitals to strengthen relations between the health sectors of the two neighbours.
