The government has decided to launch an air ambulance service in March.
Speaking at a press conference today, Principal Secretary to the President on Public Policy Abdulla Nazim said the Health Ministry proposed introducing the air ambulance service and securing the required resources during a cabinet meeting yesterday.
"The Ministry of Health together with Air Maldives [Maldivian] will start [operating] two air ambulances on the first day of March as I said before," he said.
The service will be provided by a department formed at the Health Ministry to operate the air ambulances, Nazim said. The department was established by the previous government to begin the service.
Asked about the government's plans, Nazim told Adhadhu that funding has not been determined yet but it was open to private donors. The government was ready to cover the cost if other sources of funding could not be secured, he added.
The planes to be brought for the purpose would be fitted with stretchers and medical equipment to provide service during the flight, Nazim said. The service is to begin with two flights, which are to be flown by Island Aviation, the operator of the national airline Maldivian.
Introducing air ambulances to the Maldives was a pledge of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Speaking in Dhaalu Kudahuvadhoo during the campaign, Muizzu said he would arrange for a special aircraft to transport patients and resolve the present difficulties faced with medical evacuations. The air ambulance service would be started by installing wheels on seaplanes, the President said on the day.
Helicopters and a Dornier aircraft donated to the army by the Indian government are currently used to transport patients from across the country to Malé. However, on most occasions, Maldivian flights have to be chartered at high prices to carry patients.
