Maldives strikes medevac deal with Sri Lanka
A special unit has been set up at the Bandaranaike International Airport and all the necessary permits have been issued, according to Sri Lanka.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
From March this year, Sri Lanka and Maldives have agreed to start air ambulance services.
Currently, Maldivian charter flights and Indian gifted aircrafts are used to transport patients from geographically scattered islands to the capital Male.
The launch of the air ambulance service is a presidential pledge.
At a press conference held by the President's Office late last month, President's Office Minister Abdullah Nazim announced that preparations have been started to introduce the air ambulance service in Maldives from March 1 this year. He said two air ambulances will be prepared and the service will be provided by the national flag carrier Maldivian.
Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen, who is currently in Colombo, met Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva on Tuesday and agreed to develop a framework between the two countries to immediately authorize emergency medical evacuation flights, he said.
Ameen did not give any further details, but Nimal said in a social media post:
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During the meeting with Ameen this morning, the air ambulance service needed to transport people in need of urgent treatment to Sri Lanka in connection with accidents and illnesses was discussed
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Maldives is currently sending patients to India for urgent treatment, but the government intends to send patients like that to Sri Lanka in the future, he said. That is because of the improvement in the quality of healthcare in Sri Lanka
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It was agreed at the meeting to start air ambulance services from Maldives to Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake on March 1
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A special unit has been set up at the airport and all the necessary permits have been issued.
The move comes amid negotiations to send Indian army personnel stationed in the island nation to operate the Indian gifted aircrafts back to India.
The new Maldives government has issued an ultimatum of March 15 to remove Indian troops.
