2020 is proving to be a prosperous year for the island of Kulhudhuffushi. The government announced city status for the island starting from 1st January, and the first ever permanent Maldivian physician has started working at Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital.

Dr Mohamed Nazeef began his medical career in Dalian Medical University in China. After completing his MBBS program, he began his postgraduate program to specialize in Internal Medicine at National Academy of Medical Sciences in Nepal. Previously, he has also worked at IGMH.

A native of B. Goidhoo, Dr Nazeef’s dream was to contribute to his home community. However, since the island only has a health center, Dr Nazeef requested the Ministry of Health to transfer him to work in Kulhudhuffushi, the home island of his wife.

“The thinking at Health Ministry is excellent. Our requests receive positive responses (from the ministry)” said Dr Nazeef.

According to the Internal Medicine specialist, with the city status given to the island, the main role played in the development of the city will be by the Regional Hospital. Especially, when the new tertiary hospital will officially be opened in the near future. Dr Nazeef said that the hospital still needs doctors in all departments. Moreover, he also highlighted that a lot of treatments in the field of Internal Medicine are already available in the hospital.

A large number of Maldivian students are currently studying to become a doctor. Speaking about them, Dr Nazeef mentioned that the reason for most doctors preferring to work in capital Male’ is because the necessary equipment and staff are not available in the islands. In addition, Dr Nazeef has also requested future doctors to consider working in the islands and serve their communities.

Dr Nazeef, who has also worked in the National Cardiac Center, says his biggest hope is to develop an Internal Medicine department in Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital. He believes that such a department would have a capable team of doctors which would improve the quality of services given in the hospital.

“Kulhudhuffushi Hospital currently has a lot of specialists. But the hospital would run efficiently if all the specialists work together. For example, one patient might have to consult several specialists. So, if we work as a team, our treatment given will improve”.

Dr Nazeef also highlighted the appreciation received by the people of Kulhushuffushi, even though he has worked in the hospital for only one day.

The island of Kulhudhuffushi has received city status by the government of the Maldives recently. With this change the new tertiary hospital will open its doors in the near future. Currently the regional hospital provides services such as CT scan and cardiac services, and is equipped with 34 doctors, with two of them being locals.

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