The national flag carrier, Maldivian has reported that its air ambulance service carried over 900 patients in emergency evacuations since its inception a year ago.
The air ambulance service was officially launched on 1 March 2024. While the service has now completed its first year of operation, the service transported a total of 931 patients over 787 flights during the period.
When the air ambulance service was first initiated, the aircraft utilised for the purpose had the capacity to carry two patients simultaneously. However, since then, the service has been upgraded such that three patients can be accommodated at the same time.
On the occasion of the air ambulance services’ one-year anniversary, the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen and Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim toured the aircraft used for the air ambulance operations. Speaking to reporters following the tour, Minister Ameen described the service as a national initiative to transport patients established under the directive of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. He acknowledged the significant work being done by Maldivian in providing such a critical service.
“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,” the Minister stated.
The Health Minister Abdulla Nazim emphasised the importance of an air ambulance service in a country such as the Maldives where islands are geographically dispersed. He revealed that the government plans to further enhance the service in the future.
“While the service has been in operation for one year, over 900 patients have been evacuated across over more than 700 flights. This is a significant advancement. This is a service that must be continuously enhanced— there are still ares that require improvement,” he remarked.
Maldivian’s Senior Manager of Technical Strategy Ismail Athif Mohamed said the crew is on standby to provide the service around the clock.
"A full-fledged service is now being provided, with all the equipment in place. As soon as we receive a request, our crew immediately prepares for the journey,” Athif said.
The air ambulance service is provided using a Dash-8 aircraft. Fifteen employees have been trained to provide the service, including doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians. The aircraft is equipped with ventilators, incubators and other emergency equipment.