The two Indian military helicopters stationed in the Maldives have resumed carrying patients.
Adhadhu learned that the helicopter stationed in Laamu Kadhdhoo transported a patient yesterday. The helicopter travelled from Kadhdhoo to Gaaf Alif Kooddoo and transported a patient from Kooddoo to Velana International Airport (VIA).
Witnesses confirmed that the helicopter landed at the VIA.
The humanitarian services provided by the two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft donated by India were suspended during the early days of the current administration.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu was, at the time, working to fulfil a pledge to remove Indian military personnel from the Maldives.
After prolonged negotiations that lasted several months, the two countries agreed to remove Indian soldiers in military uniforms and replace them with employees of the Indian military-controlled Hindustan Aeronautics Company.
The Defense Ministry earlier said that the civilians would follow the same agreement as the soldiers in military uniforms and all their expenses would be borne by the Indian government.
The Dornier was placed back in operation on Independence Day. President Muizzu noted this at the official ceremony on July 26.
After suspending the humanitarian services provided by the Indian helicopters and Dornier, the government spent heavily on attempts to provide patient transport and search and rescue missions.
The government spent USD 37 million to purchase drones from Turkey for surveillance purposes while a Dash-8 aircraft from the national airline and a seaplane were introduced as an air ambulance service.
It was believed that these efforts were aimed at stopping the operations of the Indian helicopters and Dornier. Several government supporters and ruling party MPs claimed there would be no need for Indian helicopters and Dornier in the future.
However, the Dornier has been put back into operation and the helicopters have now resumed transporting patients.
Meanwhile, the seaplane, which was converted into an air ambulance, has now been repainted and is used to transport tourists.
The government earlier faced criticism from the public for not seeking help from the Indian helicopters and Dornier to transport emergency patients and search for missing people.
