State Trading Organisation (STO) has procured another 20 ambulances needed for health care service providers in the atolls.
The 20 ambulances that were procured this week were the second batch of the 96 ambulances contracted to be procured by STO. The first 20 ambulances were procured and dispatched in October. The ambulances are being dispatched in the priority order, based on urgency and need.
Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem had earlier stated the ambulances are expected to solve the challenges faced in providing health care services in the atolls. The minister highlighted ambulance services should be available on every inhabited island and said some islands have been unable to provide adequate emergency services due to breakdown of their ambulances. He said the new ambulances will assist health professionals in providing emergency services following injuries or accidents in the atolls.