Air ambulance service between Maldives and Sri Lanka from next month

An air ambulance service will be established between the Maldives and the Bandaranaike International Airport, starting from March 1, 2024, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation has said.

The ministry has said that there was a discussion between the Minister of Transport and Aviation Services of the Maldives Capt. Mohamed Ameen, and his local counterpart Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva, on Tuesday, at the Ministry Office in Colombo with the aim of initiating an air ambulance service between the two countries soon.

The service would enable Maldivian citizens to promptly arrive in Sri Lanka for urgent medical treatment in cases of accidents, illnesses, and other health emergencies, the Ministry said.

Maldivian Transport and Aviation Services Minister said considering the quality of emergency treatment in Sri Lanka, the Maldivian government has decided to direct patients to Sri Lankan hospitals in the future.

Minister Silva said he has granted all necessary approvals to the airport officials and the Civil Aviation Authority for this.

Minister Silva has also instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, to establish a dedicated unit at the airport to facilitate the air ambulance service.

It was also decided during the discussions to initiate a similar service between Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana, and Male in the future.