Minister of Health Dr. Abdulla Khaleel on Thursday, February 29, 2024, confirms the air ambulance services will officially commence on Friday, March 01, 2024.
According to the minister, the service initially will commence between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
The minister made the announcements while speaking at a press conference held on Thursday afternoon, where he provided details of the ministry’s achievements falling within the Hafthaa-14 (Week-14) roadmap initiated by the President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Dr. Khaleel said that two air ambulances will be used at the initial stage; a domestic plane and a seaplane. He further stressed on the optimism of expanding air ambulance services in the future.
“… Within two hours from the time we make request, Sri Lankan authorities will permit air ambulances to carry patients there. Through this process, we will be able to expand the destinations as well,” the minister said.
“I acknowledge India’s role as a close ally to the Maldives, so I believe we will be able to extend the service there in the future,” Dr. Khaleel said, affirming the next step would be extend services to India.
The equipment needed for the air ambulances were supplied by Ooredoo Maldives and Manta Air, and Dr. Khaleel confirmed the state did not incur any expenditure in transforming the planes.