Health Minister Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim says speedboats required for atoll hospitals will be delivered before the end of this month.
Speaking to state media PSM, Nazim said seven atolls will receive the vessels, which are intended to improve access to healthcare services in rural areas. He said the boats will make it easier for specialists from regional and atoll hospitals to travel and provide outreach services.
“Today we have delivered the speedboats needed for two atolls, namely Huvadhu, and soon we will be delivering them to Dhaalu Atoll as well. The remaining four atolls will be delivered before the end of this month,” he said.
“This will facilitate our outreach programs and the work we are doing. These speedboats will be able to make the necessary trips, especially in case of lack of sea ambulances,” he added.
The Health Ministry said the project is being implemented in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to strengthen health services across the Maldives and improve the quality of care provided by atoll hospitals.
އަތޮޅު ހޮސްޕިޓަލްތަކުން ދެވޭ ޚިދުމަތްތައް އެކަށީގެންވާ ގޮތެއްގައި ރައްޔިތުންނަށް ލިބޭނެ އިންތިޒާމް ހަމަޖެއްސުމަށްޓަކައި، އޭޝިއާ ޕެސިފިކް ވެކްސިން އެކްސެސް ފެސިލިޓީ ޕްރޮޖެކްޓްގެ ތެރެއިން މި މިނިސްޓްރީ އަށް ލިބިފައިވާ ލޯންޗުތަށް މިނިސްޓަރ @ANazim2019 މިއަދު ވަނީ ބައްލަވާލައްވާފަ. pic.twitter.com/yCH5iTAboM
— Ministry of Health (@MoHmv) January 17, 2026
The speedboats will be used to deliver vaccines and laboratory samples, and to transport patients in emergencies, the ministry said.
Three speedboats have already arrived in Male' under the project.
A total of 20 speedboats will be provided to atolls under the Maldives Helpline initiative. According to the ministry, 42-foot speedboats will be allocated to Huvadhu and Fuvahmulah, while 38-foot speedboats will be sent to the remaining atolls.