At a time when gov faces harsh criticism for the fatal delay in the medevac transfer of a child to capital Male' City, Defence Minister posts on X that Maldivian Airlines has extensive experience in medevacs, and that the President is not directly involved.
Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon has stated that statistics gathered over the past three years show that 93 percent of medical evacuations done in the case of emergencies in the country were conducted by Maldivian Airlines.
"The SOPs (standard operation procedures) of medical operations do not require notifying or seeking permission from the President. That is something done through the coordination of relevant institutions," Ghassan said in a post on social media X.
Medical evacuation operations ge
— Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon (@mgmaumoon) January 20, 2024
SOP gai Raeesul Jumooriyya ah inform kurumeh, hudhdha dhevvumeh noavey. Eyee ekama gulhey idhaaraathakun coordinate kurevigen hinga kameh. 2021 in feshigen stats ah balaa iru medical evacuation ge 93% koffai vanee @MaldivianAero medhuverikoh.
Ghassan issued this statement at a time when the government is under strong criticism for not using the helicopters and Dornier aircrafts gifted by the Indian government since they assumed power, even during emergencies.
He may have been responding to rumours that the transfer of a thirteen year old child who needed to be transferred from Gaafu Alif atoll Villin'gili to Male' was delayed due to not receiving President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's permission in a more prompt manner.
The child was placed on ventilator support on Wednesday morning, but had to remain in the island till sunset the next day, when transfer to the capital city was finally arranged.
Public criticism increased following the death of the child.
The family of the child claims that the delay in arranging the transfer, and delay in providing additional medical treatment, are the cause of the death, as reported in Mihaaru News.
Mihaaru News further reports that the delay was caused due to difficulties in arranging a charter flight under the Aasandha insurance scheme. Despite Villin'gili Hospital having completed the formalities, there was a delay in the Maldivian flight arriving at Kooddoo.
Government authorities are yet to comment on the matter.
The current government has announced that it will be launching air ambulance services from March 1. Two Dash 8 flights of Maldivian Airlines will be adapted for the purpose.
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