The government of Japan has handed over eight reconditioned ambulances to the Ministry of Health under the Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme.
Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives Takeuchi Midori handed over the ambulances to Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem on behalf of the Japanese government at a special ceremony. The ambulances were handed over to strengthen the emergency services of the Maldives.
The health ministry will deploy the ambulances to the health centres in Hoarafushi and Kelaa in Haa Alifu Atoll, Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital, Gan Regional Hospital, Fuvahmulah Hospital and Addu Equatorial Hospital. The remaining two will be transferred to the National Ambulance Services in the Greater Male' Region.
The assistance is in line with the grant contract signed between the Embassy of Japan in the Maldives and the Ministry of Health on February 7, 2022. Under the grant, the government of Japan signed to donate eight reconditioned ambulances supplied with eight sets of 12 medical equipment such as ALS bag, oxygen cylinder, bag valve mask, and spinal board in value of USD159,131.
In October 2019, Japan handed over 21 ambulances in value of USD1.4 million to the health ministry and the ambulances were allocated to 21 islands across 15 atolls. The donation was implemented as a part of the grant of USD2.8 million committed for the health sector of the Maldives, in line with the Exchange of Notes signed by Japan and the Maldives in June 2018, under The Economic and Social Development Programme.