The government of Maldives has transferred ambulances to all of the promised islands requiring the service.

This comes under efforts to expand the country’s healthcare services across the scattered islands. As such, the Ministry of Health signed an agreement with the Ministry of Finance and State Trading Organization (STO) during June 2021, mutually agreeing to bring 96 ambulances to be sent to outlying atolls.

STO handed over the last batch of ambulances to the Health Ministry on April 26.

The ministry confirmed that all of the ambulances have since been transferred to the promised islands. As such the last batch of ambulances were delivered to the islands on Thursday.

The first shipment, comprising of 20 ambulances, was brought to Maldives during October 2021. This was followed by another batch of 20 ambulances, brought during December.

The third batch of ambulances under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was brought in February 2022, followed by the fourth batch on March 19, carrying 21 units as agreed under the MoU with the health ministry.

Highlighting that ambulances have now been delivered to all of the islands, the Ministry of Health states that this is a step taken forward in the administration's effort to improve the health care system of Maldives.

The current administration has made additional plans to improve the health care system of Maldives. As such, the Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem had stated that the administration aims to finalize the health care strategy and will proceed work in accordance with the plan. He also stated that work on the agreed new hospital buildings will be mobilized this year.

Additionally, the Minister had stated that expansion and renovation of 17 hospitals and health centers have been handed over to contractors.

The Minister of Health highlights that this year will bring remarkable changes to the health care system of Maldives.