Ahmed Ghalib, Councilor for North Hulhumalé constituency, has expressed significant worries regarding the quality of healthcare services at Hulhumalé Hospital, indicating that the facility has not met the expected standards of care despite its recent official upgrade to a tertiary hospital by the current administration.

During the SSTV program 'Baaru Hathareh,' Ghalib mentioned that merely renaming the institution as a tertiary hospital is inadequate if the services offered fail to meet necessary professional standards. He emphasized that the hospital presently cannot offer healthcare services aligned with its tertiary classification.

Ghalib voiced worry that the government is insufficiently equipped to address the healthcare needs of Hulhumalé's swiftly growing population. He emphasized that the hospital's management should not be held accountable, mentioning that the staff are performing their responsibilities as effectively as possible given the current constraints.

"The enhancement mainly involved the nameboard; there have been no significant advancements in the services offered," the Councilor noted.

He highlighted the pressing necessity to enhance Hulhumalé's healthcare system to match its increasing population and inquired why Hulhumalé Phase 2 still does not have a specific hospital.

Hulhumalé Hospital is the sole public healthcare facility in the area, catering to approximately 150,000 residents. The hospital is also notably less extensive than the Regional Hospital located in Kulhudhuffushi City.

Even though Hulhumalé Hospital was officially launched as a tertiary healthcare center on November 16, 2024, residents still voice their dissatisfaction regarding long waiting periods and delays in obtaining medical services.

In the course of the upgrade, the hospital launched multiple new amenities, including a specialized surgery theater complex containing four theatres focused on orthopedic, ophthalmology, gynecology, and general surgery. Before the expansion, the hospital functioned with just one operating theater.