Island Aviation: Aircraft utilized for air ambulance service up to safety standards

Island Aviation Services (IAS) states the aircraft used in the provision of air ambulance services launched today is up to safety standards.

A DHC-8-200 aircraft is utilized for the air ambulance.

IAS detailed that the aircraft had been utilized in the operation of its scheduled flights before its transformation into an air ambulance, adding that the aircraft was transformed into an air ambulance by installing medical equipment to provide emergency medical care.

The company emphasized that the safety of the crew and passengers will the highest priority in the operation of the air ambulance.

Commencing air ambulance service is an electoral pledge of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The service will be available 24 hours starting Friday, as confirmed to Sun by the Health Ministry.

In an earlier statement, the Health Ministry said the air ambulance is equipped with resources to provide emergency care for patients during their transfer to the nearest tertiary hospital from various areas in the Maldives. They also noted the allocation of 15 trained medical professionals in the provision of air ambulance service including doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians.

As per the Health Ministry, the purpose of this service, introduced under President Muizzu’s policies, is to ensure the provision of air ambulance in the Maldives in a sustainable manner.  

Health Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has said a maximum of two patients can be carried at once on the air ambulance at the commencement of the service.

The government aims to pave way for the medical evacuation of patients to foreign nations through air ambulance. Discussions have been held with neighboring Sri Lanka in this regard, which has agreed to approve landing in the nation in cases of emergencies within a maximum of two hours.

The air ambulance service is carried out by the Health Ministry in collaboration with National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) and IAS.