Addu City’s main hospital fails to take a heart attack patient for treatment on time, due to issues with its ambulance.

RaajjeMV has learnt that the patient in the city’s Hithadhoo district, where the hospital is located, had to be taken to hospital via a private car on Monday night, as the ambulance was delayed. The patient was pronounced dead on arrival at Hithadhoo Regional Hospital.

An official from the hospital confirmed to RaajjeMV that the patient was pronounced dead on arrival, adding that Monday night’s incident ‘was tragic’.

The official explained to RaajjeMV that two of the hospital’s ambulances were having issues, which resulted in the delay in bringing the patient in for treatment, adding that they were currently using the one in the Feydhoo Healthn Centre. The hospital’s official further said that both ambulances ‘will be repaired and in service soon’.

With over 30,000 people, southernmost atoll Addu City is the country's largest population centre after capital Malé City. The poor health facilities in the city, resulting in the loss of lives, has sparked criticism from the public.