President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced on Wednesday that National Air Ambulance services will be launched on Friday.
Speaking to the residents of Noonu atoll Manadhoo last night, the President shared that a Dash 8 airplane of the national airline Maldivian has now been repurposed to be used in this service.
"We can carry patients and passengers even to Sri Lanka. If necessary, we can make a stop there, refuel, and go to a destination further away," President Dr Muizzu said.
In addition to the Dash 8 airplane, a seaplane will also be used in the service, according to the President.
He said that once these flights are in operation, the Maldivian government has established the capacity to conduct medical evacuations on its own, marking it as a significant achievement.
Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen has also visited Velana International Airport on Wednesday to inspect the preparations of the flights for the service.
Earlier this week, the government announced that 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.
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