Maldivian Airline to Launch Medevac Service in the Maldives, Announces President

The Maldivian government has announced an initiative to enhance healthcare accessibility across its islands, with the national airline, Maldivian (Q2, Malé), playing a pivotal role. According to Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, the principal secretary to the president on public policy, Maldivian will operate two unspecified aircraft in the initial phase of a new national air ambulance service. This announcement came following a recent cabinet meeting.

Set to commence in March 2024, this medevac service, under the umbrella of the National Ambulance Service, aims to improve medical transport facilities within the Maldives. The introduction of these aircraft will significantly enhance the capability to transfer patients from remote islands of the Indian Ocean archipelago to cities equipped with advanced medical facilities. The plan includes expanding the fleet with additional aircraft in future phases.

This development aligns with the commitments of the newly elected President Mohamed Muizzu, who pledged to improve healthcare access in his campaign. Alongside the air ambulance service, the Maldivian cabinet is investing in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to transport medicine and medical supplies across the islands.

As of now, Maldivian has not issued a statement in response to queries from ch-aviation regarding the specifics of the aircraft for this service. It remains unclear whether the air ambulance service will utilize helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft. This initiative marks a significant step forward in enhancing the healthcare infrastructure in the Maldives, reflecting the government’s focus on leveraging aviation solutions to address critical public health needs.