1,267 people queued for free prescription glasses; 131 glasses issued

Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) states a total of 1,276 people have queued to get free prescription glasses through the government’s optical outlet opened at the hospital on July 27^th, while 131 glasses have been issued to customers.

Male' City Group of Hospitals (MCGH) Opticals outlet at IGMH was established to facilitate making free prescription glasses under Aasandha.

When the optical started issuing appointments on July 28th, large crowds queued up until 10:00 PM that night. According to an IGMH official who spoke to Sun, 80 people registered for the service on that day alone. In total, 361 people registered for the service during the first three days.

Speaking with Sun on Tuesday, IGMH’s Spokesperson said that since the optical service was launched, a total of 131 glasses have been issued to customers as of yesterday. The Spokesperson added that between 20 to 30 pairs of glasses are issued daily.

According to the Spokesperson, 1,267 people have waitlisted for the service as of yesterday afternoon. The Spokesperson detailed that eye checkups are conducted for 45 people daily on average. As such, it is expected to take up to 28 days to serve all 1,267 people on the waitlist.

Customers can waitlist for the service by contacting the optical at 3335150 or by visiting the shop. The official noted that special arrangements have been made for elderly, which ensures they do not have to wait in a queue. 

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu inaugurated MCGH Opticals during a special ceremony held on July 27^th.

Speaking at the launch ceremony held at IGMH on Sunday, MCGH CEO Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem said the service will be launched at Hulhumale Hospital next month and will be expanded to regional hospitals in the near future.

Therefore, people from all parts of the country will be able to get their prescription glasses done for free, he said.

While government hospitals treat various eye diseases, the service of making prescription glasses is new. This service has always been provided by the private sector in Maldives. Glasses are expensive to purchase and repair in the Maldives and Aasandha had been allotting only MVR 1,000 for it.

However, since the general public had to spend thousands out of their own pockets even after deducting the MVR 1,000 Aasandha allotment, complaints began to rise.

The Aasandha amount has since been increased to MVR 2,000 in June 2025 by President Muizzu. He also ordered the Male' City Group of Hospitals to start making prescription glasses under Aasandha as well.