The Government of Maldives has handed over ambulances to 25 islands as part of the efforts to establish National Ambulance Service in accordance with the pledge to develop the health sector of the country.
Ministry of Health revealed the 25 islands include 4 islands which received ambulances for the first time. The ministry also announced a further 26 islands will be provided with ambulances in the near future.
Speaking at the function held to hand over ambulances, Minister of Health expressed hope to revolutionise the health sector. The minister said the administration aims to provide ambulance services in the islands in a sustainable way. In this regard, he added all the inhabited islands will receive ambulances by the end of the year.
The ambulances handed over to the islands include 21 paramedic ambulances worth USD 1.4 million donated by the Government of Japan. These ambulances were handed over to the Government of Maldives by Ambassador of Japan to Maldives Keiko Yanai.
The ambulances were donated as part of the USD 2.8 million grant committed for the health sector in Maldives, in line with the Exchange of Notes signed by Government of Japan and Government of Maldives in June 2018, under The Economic and Social Development Programme.