The Maldivian government has taken a significant step towards strengthening healthcare delivery across the archipelago, with the Ministry of Health handing over ambulances to 56 islands nationwide.
The handover took place at a special ceremony led by the Minister of Health, Abdulla Nazim, who said the initiative reflects a broader government commitment to building a more comprehensive and sustainable health system.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Nazim said President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, during his extensive community outreach visits, had listened directly to island residents and documented the specific challenges faced by each community. He said the provision of ambulances was a direct response to concerns repeatedly raised about emergency medical transport.
The minister acknowledged the structural difficulties of delivering healthcare in a country made up of widely dispersed islands. Even islands that previously had ambulances, he said, often faced prolonged service disruptions due to maintenance constraints, leaving communities without reliable emergency transport.
Under a directive from the President, these gaps were mapped and prioritised, leading to the current rollout. Through a contractor-financed agreement with Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), 56 ambulances have now been distributed to islands across the country. Minister Nazim described the move as a clear indication of the priority the administration places on equitable access to healthcare.
Looking ahead, he said further efforts would focus on cities, where demand for emergency services continues to grow.
Emphasising the project’s integrated and sustainable design, the minister said MPL has also been mandated to carry out all maintenance work for the ambulances, addressing one of the longstanding weaknesses in emergency health services.
The project, valued at USD 4.22 million, was awarded to MPL last year under a contractor financing model, with the vehicles delivered to the Maldives in three separate tranches.
The government’s plans extends beyond the current scope. Minister Nazim confirmed that an additional 31 ambulances for islands, along with 10 paramedic ambulances for the Greater Malé region, are scheduled to be brought into service later this year, further expanding the country’s emergency response capacity.