The Ministry of Health is working to overhaul and improve public water ambulance transportation services across the Maldives, Minister Abdulla Ameen has said.

At an event on Tuesday to launch a first aid training program for private hire taxi drivers in capital city Malé, Minister Ameen said that drivers used for water ambulances are to be trained as well.

In 2017, the then government introduced ‘sea’ ambulance services to tackle difficulty in transporting patients from remote islands. A total of 25 speed boats were in use, the government said.

At Tuesday’s event, Minister Ameen said that the government also intends to expand air transportation of patients, although he did specify how.

The Maldives does not have a public ambulance transportation service; however, transportation is carried out by state-run hospitals and health facilities.

Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed was the chief guest at Tuesday night’s event, and highlighted that they have observed how taxi drivers often reject request for aid in emergency situations.

“Often or not, we know that drivers in Malé have neglected to assist injured individuals in emergency situations, we know that drivers are hesitant to allow them to be transported”, Hameed said.

Commissioner Hameed advised drivers who attended Tuesday’s event to uphold the ‘sanctity of life’, and to consider aiding an injured individual a duty.

The commissioner also expressed hope that the police and private hire taxi drivers can provide a valuable service in responding to emergency situations.