Male’ City Group of Hospitals has announced plans to implement a structured appointment system aimed at resolving ongoing challenges faced by patients, particularly uncertainty around consultation timings.

Speaking before the Parliament’s Social Affairs Committee, Deputy CEO Shah Mahir stated that the current system does not inform patients of specific dates and times, causing delays and confusion. The new system, now being piloted in four departments, will allow patients to book appointments with a clear schedule, improving access, especially for those travelling from the islands. Full implementation is expected by year-end.

CEO Abdul Razzaq Haleem added that many patients bypass the hospital referral system by consulting private clinics and returning for reimbursement. This complicates appointment allocation. He stressed that departments do prioritise cases with urgent test results and that a referral system significantly improves access to specialists.

To address specialist shortages and improve coordination, the hospital group will open its first General Practitioner (GP) clinic this month in Malé. Patients will be referred from GP clinics directly to specialists, allowing scheduled appointments at the point of referral.

Additional measures include extending OPD hours in departments with long queues and prioritising referred patients, especially those from rural areas, to ensure more efficient, needs-based access to healthcare.