National ambulance service launches in Male’ area

The Health Ministry has launched the Maldives national ambulance service in the greater Male’ area.

The service was launched in Male’ by Health Minister Ahmed Naseem in a function held at the Republic Square on Wednesday evening.

According to the Health Ministry, the main purpose of the ambulance service is to speed up medical intervention in cases of accidents and other medical emergencies, and provide live-saving treatment until patients can be taken to medical facilities.

Speaking at the launch event, Naseem said the importance of a national ambulance service became clear during the Covid-19 pandemic. He said that the Health Ministry had brought in experts and begun work on setting up the service then.

Naseem said that the Health Ministry wants to make the national ambulance service one that is reliable and trusted. He said that the service will be expanded nationwide, and see the launch of sea ambulances and air ambulances as well.

He said that the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system will play a crucial role in the service.

“We hope that this system, which will provide full guidance from when a phone call is made for emergencies to until the patient is transported to a medical facility, will ease the workload and improve efficiency,” he said.

The national ambulance service’s call center can be reached by calling 100. It is open 24/7.