The Government of Japan has provided a grant aid of USD 3 million to the Maldives for the provision of a sea ambulance under the efforts to strengthen the healthcare capacity of the country.
The Exchange of Notes for the grant aid was signed during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 4. The Exchange of Notes was signed by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel and the Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives Keiko Yanai.
The grant aid will be utilised to further strengthen the capacities of the health service providers in the country. As such, the grant will help to provide sea ambulances equipped with the necessary medical systems and trained staff to be used in the event of a serious illness or medical condition, and on emergency evacuations.
Speaking at the ceremony, State Minister Khaleel highlighted that the demand for sea ambulance services has increased immensely, especially due to the ongoing global pandemic and the health sector is constantly struggling to match its resources and capabilities. He noted this assistance extended by the Government of Japan is a much needed and timely boost to the capabilities of the sea ambulance service and will ensure reliable and uninterrupted service for emergency transfer or medical evacuation of patients during rough weather conditions. He thanked the Government of Japan for the grant aid, characterising it as yet another important gesture of Japan’s goodwill and extraordinary generosity to the Maldives.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence and National Security, Ministry of Health and the officials from the Embassy of Japan.