Seventeen islands across the Maldives' atolls have received new ambulances to strengthen healthcare services in their communities.
The ambulances were officially handed over to their respective health centres during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare. At the event, the keys to the vehicles were presented to representatives of the health facilities.
The Health Ministry stated that the new ambulances are replacing old vehicles that had become severely worn out, damaged and no longer operational at hospitals and health centres across the atolls. The procurement of the replacement ambulances was entrusted to Maldives Ports Limited (MPL). Under the current phase of the project, MPL was awarded the contract in December last year to procure 31 ambulances at a total cost of USD 2.35 million.
Earlier this year, in March, 14 ambulances were handed over to healthcare facilities under the same project. The remaining 17 ambulances were presented during the latest ceremony, where Minister of Health, Family and Welfare, Geela Ali, handed over the vehicle keys and user manuals to the receiving health centres. Representatives from the islands receiving the ambulances, including Members of Parliament, also attended the ceremony.
Speaking at the event, Minister Geela described the project as a significant step towards replacing ageing ambulances serving island communities and improving healthcare services at health centres across the atolls. She said the initiative would further strengthen the country's healthcare system and improve the quality of services available to island residents.
The minister stressed that providing essential resources such as ambulances is crucial for delivering effective healthcare services. She thanked President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on behalf of the ministry and its staff, expressing confidence that the new ambulances would significantly enhance emergency response capabilities and help save more lives by improving healthcare delivery across the islands.
Also speaking at the ceremony, MPL Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Lamaan said the company had not only procured the ambulances but had also taken steps to ensure the islands are equipped to operate and maintain the service. He described the project as an important milestone in strengthening healthcare infrastructure across the atolls and providing communities with facilities appropriate to their needs.
Lamaan said MPL considers it a privilege to contribute to such initiatives under its corporate social responsibility programme. He noted that the project includes guidance on ambulance operations and measures to address any operational challenges, ensuring that uninterrupted ambulance services can be provided to island communities.
The 17 islands that received ambulances are Komandoo and Foakaidhoo in Shaviyani Atoll; Henbadhoo in Noonu Atoll; Dharavandhoo, Fulhadhoo and Donfanu in Baa Atoll; Olhuvelifushi in Lhaviyani Atoll; Fulidhoo and Keyodhoo in Vaavu Atoll; Veyvah in Meemu Atoll; Bodufolhudhoo and Himandhoo in Alifu Alifu Atoll; Kumburudhoo and Dhangethi in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll; Fonadhoo in Laamu Atoll; Kondey in Gaafu Alifu Atoll; and Vaadhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.
With the handover of these 17 ambulances, the current administration has now delivered a total of 87 ambulances to islands across the Maldives. The Ministry of Health also announced that ambulances for four additional islands, where services have been disrupted, will be procured and handed over before the end of this year.
The ministry further said that 10 paramedic ambulances will be introduced in the Greater Malé Region and other cities later this year to launch dedicated paramedic ambulance services.
Providing reliable ambulance services to every inhabited island in the Maldives remains one of the government's key healthcare priorities.