The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) carried out 71 medical evacuations by sea last week, providing emergency transport for patients requiring urgent medical treatment across the country.
According to a report shared by the military on social media, the operations were conducted using coastguard squadrons and sea ambulances to facilitate the transfer of patients between islands and healthcare facilities.
The First Coastguard Squadron completed the highest number of missions, carrying out 48 medical evacuations during the week. The Second Squadron conducted three evacuations, while the Third and Fourth Squadrons completed 13 and six missions respectively. In addition, Sea Ambulance E9 54 was deployed for one medical evacuation.
The MNDF stated that it maintains round-the-clock readiness to respond to emergencies within the country’s territorial waters, particularly during periods of adverse weather when the risk of maritime incidents increases.
In addition to medical evacuations, the coastguard continues to provide a range of emergency services, including search and rescue operations, property recovery efforts and technical assistance to vessels experiencing mechanical or operational difficulties at sea.
The military noted that coastguard personnel remain on continuous duty to support maritime safety and emergency response efforts throughout the Maldives.
Medical evacuations by sea remain a critical service for the Maldives, helping to ensure timely access to healthcare for residents of remote islands and atolls where specialised medical facilities may not be readily available.
