Maldives - Haa Dhaalu

We've been thinking about going Maldives in Haa Dhaalu but there something that's bothering us... it's that we can't find any pharmacy there... My son suffers from ADD and I can't be as careless as not be sure where pharmacies and hospitals are.. do you know if there is a hospital nearby?? I've done some research and only found an empty pharmacy directory at http://www.drugdelivery.ca/xx-MV-37-A-xx/Haa-... do you know any answers to my questions??? we'll be going in 2 months if everything is sorted out. If anyone can help soothe my anxiety, i'd be really grateful.

dearme wrote:

We've been thinking about going Maldives in Haa Dhaalu but there something that's bothering us... it's that we can't find any pharmacy there... My son suffers from ADD and I can't be as careless as not be sure where pharmacies and hospitals are.. do you know if there is a hospital nearby?? I've done some research and only found an empty pharmacy directory at http://www.drugdelivery.ca/xx-MV-37-A-xx/Haa-... do you know any answers to my questions??? we'll be going in 2 months if everything is sorted out. If anyone can help soothe my anxiety, i'd be really grateful.

Hi,

I'd advise making contact with the Ministry of Health - Ghaazee Building, Ameer Ahmed Magu, Male 20-05 Tel:+960 323 820 Fax: 328 889, who can best advise on the facilities and any possible prescriptions available. Having been there last year (just for a few weeks) and forgetting my own meds, I had to go without until I got back home, which gave me a few 'bad' days.

Be very specific about what exact brands you might require, or just 'stock up' before you go.

Als, this is quoted from the US Dept of State:
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: The Maldives has limited medical facilities. There are two hospitals in Male: the government-owned Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGM) and the privately-owned Abduarahman Don Kaleyfan Hospital (ADK). ADK accepts some insurance plans, but IGM does not. The hospitals perform general, orthopedic and neurosurgery, but the Maldives has no trauma units, and spinal surgery is not available. Persons needing treatments not offered in the Maldives require evacuation to the nearest adequate medical facility, such as in Singapore.

Two recompression chambers are available in the Maldives. One is on Bandos Island (fifteen minutes by speedboat from Male) and the other is in Kuramathi (one hour by speed boat and about twenty minutes by air taxi from Male.)

Main hospital:
Indira Ghandi: http://www.igmh.gov.mv/

Maldives health site:
http://www.health.gov.mv/

Good health insurance should also make a provision for any Air Taxi flights you may need to take in a hurry - round trips are about USD300+, depending on how far away you are from Male. The two operators are Maldivian Air Taxis and Island Aviation Services.

A fascinating place to visit and stay. I've a friend who's been living in Male for about a year and a half, and once you get used to island life (ie: the second their mobile phone rings, they cut you off dead!) you'll have a fabulous time. Enjoy.