President: Efforts underway to expand sea ambulance service nationwide

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, acknowledging the need for more sea ambulances in the Maldives, states efforts are underway to expand sea ambulance service nationwide.  

The President, on Thursday, visited GA. Dhevadhdhoo as part of his ongoing tour of Huvadhoo Atoll.

While speaking to the residents of the island, he acknowledged the need for sea ambulance services at geographically isolated islands such as Dhevaddhoo. Noting Dhevadhdhoo, at present, faced difficulties in accessing the service, the President service was similarly required by many islands.

“In short, our fleet faces difficulties in the provision of services to Maldivian islands that are more geographically isolated due to travel distance,” he said.

As such, President Muizzu said the government was presently undertaking efforts to expand sea ambulance service nationwide.

“Hopefully, the result of this will be the allocation of a sea ambulance specific to this island as desired by the resident. I note that efforts have been commenced to implement a comprehensive nationwide solution,” he said.

Speaking further, the President pledged to work towards finding solutions to three major challenges currently faced in Dhevadhdhoo – coastal erosion, harbor space constraints, and waste management – through the 2025 budget.

To implement the solutions, the President requested Dhevadhdhoo Council to collaborate with the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure to develop a comprehensive solution addressing all three issues simultaneously.

He assured that the government would provide full support for restarting stalled projects, while also addressing coastal erosion, resolving harbor issues, expanding land area, and finding sustainable solutions to waste management challenges. He emphasized that these solutions would benefit all residents, including fishermen.

Prior to this, President Muizzu has stated that the health sector would be the second priority after housing in this year’s budget.

The current administration launched a sea ambulance service between Vilimale’ and Male’ early last year. Additionally, air ambulance services were introduced in March of the same year, proving essential for transporting patients in need of urgent care. According to the Health Ministry, 437 patients have been transported since the service began.