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Air Ambulance transfers to Sri Lanka to be approved within two hours

Mariyath Mohamed
28 February 2024, MVT 11:35
Sri Lanka's Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala De Silva and Maldives' Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen at a meeting held in Colombo during an earlier visit.-- Photo: Transport Ministry
Mariyath Mohamed
28 February 2024, MVT 11:35

Arrangements have been made where permits to operate air ambulance flights to Sri Lanka in medical emergencies will be granted within a period of two hours.

This is part of the government's initiatives to expedite provision of treatment abroad in emergency cases where such medical attention is deemed necessary.

This arrangement was initially discussed with the Sri Lankan government during Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen's visit to the country in late January.

Until now, a duration of 6 to 24 hours was needed for the provision of permits from Sri Lanka for the transfer of patients in medical emergency cases. This time frame has now been cut down to just 2 hours under these recent deliberations.

President's Office said today that the Government of Sri Lanka is currently working on implementing this change at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

The Office asserted that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu highly prioritizes the provision of proper medical services to Maldivians within the country and abroad.

Introduction and expansion of air ambulance services is among the presidential pledges of President Dr Muizzu. The government has earlier said that the service will be launched on March 1.

The President's Office further said that the government intends to arrange medical services for citizens from places like Dubai and Thailand in addition to neighbouring countries. It is amongst the government's policies to establish air ambulance services to such countries as well in the near future.

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