Equatorial Hospital becomes first outside Male' to offer primary PCI and advanced cardiac treatments

Emergency treatment for heart attack patients, including primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), has been launched at Equatorial Hospital in Addu, marking a major milestone in expanding cardiac care beyond Male'.

The service was introduced through a joint initiative between Equatorial Hospital and the National Cardiac Center (NCC), making it the first hospital outside the capital to offer primary PCI, a critical life‑saving procedure for acute heart attacks.

According to state media, the NCC team conducted a special three‑day program in Addu from March 31 to April 2, during which several advanced cardiac treatments were successfully performed. These included implantable cardioverter‑defibrillator (ICD) procedures and permanent pacemaker implantation.

During the visit, specialists carried out 11 angiograms and six angioplasties, providing essential interventions for patients with severe cardiac conditions.

Equatorial Hospital, the main healthcare facility in the country’s second‑most populous city, opened its catheterization laboratory in January last year, the first cath lab established outside Male'. The launch of primary PCI and device‑implantation services marks a significant expansion of its capabilities.

Hospital officials described the program as a major achievement that will reduce the need for patients to travel to Male' or abroad for urgent cardiac care, ensuring faster access to life‑saving treatment.