Ministry of Health has stated that 13 sea ambulances will be procured for operations in the atolls.
Speaking to PSM News, State Minister for Health Ahmed Adil said new sea ambulances are being procured to begin operations under the health ministry. He said the new sea ambulances will have more interior space compared to the current ones, and that the new vessels will begin operations in September.
Furthermore, Adil said the new sea ambulances will be used for atoll outreach programmes and health emergencies, and that the ministry has opened the procurement of the vessels for tender. He noted that the sea ambulances will bring significant development to the health sector.
Currently, sea ambulance services are provided by Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). The government has been working to increase the capacity of the health sector in the Maldives by developing infrastructure and human resources. The administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has so far spent USD388 million on the development of the health sector.