Maldivian, the national flag carrier, has celebrated the one-year anniversary of its air ambulance service, which has played a vital role in transporting over 900 patients since its launch on March 1, 2024. With 931 patients evacuated across 787 flights, the service has made a significant impact on emergency healthcare in the Maldives.
The air ambulance initiative was established under the directive of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, aimed at improving the country’s emergency medical evacuation capabilities. Initially, the service used aircraft capable of transporting just two patients at a time. However, within the first year, it was upgraded to accommodate three patients simultaneously, ensuring greater efficiency and capacity during critical situations.
During a recent tour of the aircraft used for the service, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen, praised the Maldivian airline’s contribution to providing such a crucial service. He noted the high cost of the service but emphasized the government’s commitment to making it available for the Maldivian people.
“We have now established the necessary resources and equipment for emergency patient evacuations. Although this is a costly service, the President requested to arrange this service for the people,” said Minister Ameen.
Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim also highlighted the importance of the air ambulance service, especially in a geographically dispersed country like the Maldives. He stated that, although the service has already made remarkable progress, there is still room for improvement.
“Over 900 patients have been evacuated across more than 700 flights in just one year. This is a significant advancement,” Minister Nazim said. “The service must continue to evolve to meet the growing needs, and we plan to enhance it further.”
Maldivian’s Senior Manager of Technical Strategy, Ismail Athif Mohamed, assured the public that the air ambulance service operates 24/7 with all necessary medical equipment on standby. “As soon as we receive a request, our crew immediately prepares for the journey,” Athif explained.
The air ambulance service represents a major step forward in emergency healthcare for the Maldives, offering quick and reliable medical evacuation when time is of the essence. Minister Ameen noted that this specialized service is available round-the-clock, unlike previous evacuation services that were limited to regular flight schedules.
In addition, the service operates with a dedicated medical team and is equipped for special circumstances, such as seaplane operations. The government is also focusing on expanding healthcare services in the outer atolls to reduce the need for air evacuations in the long term.
Minister Nazim explained, “Our biggest aim in the health sector is to reduce the number of people requiring air evacuation by expanding healthcare services in the outer atolls. We are proceeding with this work according to schedule, in line with the President’s healthcare pledges.”
As the Maldives continues to improve its healthcare infrastructure, the success of the air ambulance service marks a significant achievement in the country’s efforts to provide better healthcare for its citizens.
