It has been decided to open optical shops for eyewear business in Hulhumalé Hospital and regional hospitals in the coming years.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced on May 28, during a ceremony marking World Health Day, that starting from last month, Aasandha will provide MVR 2,000 every two years for prescription eyeglasses.

With the increase of this amount to MVR 2,000, the President announced on May 31 that an optical shop would be opened at IGMH to prevent private businesses from taking unfair advantage of this.

Speaking on PSM's "Raajje Miadhu" program last night, CEO of Malé City Group of Hospitals, Abdurrazzaq Haleem, said that the IGMH optical shop will open this month, and work will proceed to open optical shops in other hospitals as well.

"The state is spending a lot to provide eyewear services. It's not a business. Within the amount the amount set by Aasandha, first to make glasses at IGMH. To expand this further, the government will provide eyewear services at Hulhumalé Hospital and in the future at regional hospitals," Haleem said.

Although Haleem mentioned that they have decided to open optical shops in Hulhumalé Hospital and regional hospitals, he did not specify a timeline for when these shops would open.