The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has publicized a policy on transporting patients between islands under medical emergencies, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The authority stressed on the importance of such a policy to assist authorities curb the spread of the virus, at a time the capital Malé City is under lockdown.
The policy was formulated to enforce a procedure to be followed when transferring patients between islands during medical emergencies and notes a set of conditions that must be met during the transfer on seaplanes, flights and vessels.
The conditions include:
- Safety obligations highlighted in the Civil Aviation Regulations and the Transport Authority Regulations must be met when transferring patients via air route or sea route,
- Making arrangements to place items such as food and water if being provided, in front of the seat before passengers board the vessel or flight,
- Ensuring documents such as safety information are laminated and sanitized after each trip. HPA has recommended safety information to be provided through digital means,
- Medical assistants or individuals accompanying patients are required to wear face masks during the trip, if possible, patients are also to wear surgical masks, and
- Transporters must provide amenities like hand washing, sanitizing and disinfection.
The policy for airplane transfer notes that if other passengers are traveling on the same flight, the patient must be seated at the very back of the flight and two vacant seats must be provided in every direction, surrounding the patient.
In this regard, a minimum distance of six feet must be maintained between the patient and other passengers onboard. Everyone onboard the flight will be required to wear surgical masks, gloves and face shields.
Further, the policy notes that if individuals are opting for seaplane transfer, only individuals accompanying the patient and medical assistants will be allowed to embark the vessel or flight along with the crew. While doing so, they are required to wear face masks, disposable aprons, goggles and surgical gloves throughout the trip.
The same procedure must be followed in allocating seats surrounding the patient, during seaplane transfers as well.
In addition, the policy highlights that passengers must board the vessel or flight before the patient embarks, and must be wearing face masks.
Instructions on disinfecting the vessels and flights transporting the sickly have also been noted in the policy, including that those disinfecting and cleaning the vessels and flights must be wearing surgical masks and gloves as well.
