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A 25-bed military hospital will be set up at the Voice of Maldives building in Henveiru ward and a helipad established in the park in front of the building, the Defence Ministry has said.

Speaking at a news conference held at the Coast Guard building, Defence Minister Ameen Faisal said that the military hospital, being constructed under the aid of the Indian Government, will not limit its services to military personnel.

“Our objective is to provide treatment to those people who are brought there under emergency conditions,” he said. “The hospital will provide its services to any Maldivian who needs emergency medical assistance.”

Minister Ameen said that there were many Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) officers who were trained abroad as doctors and that many more were even now undergoing training in such fields.

A joint press release issued by the MNDF and Indian High Commission said that the Indian Government would provide all the necessary assistance to establish the 25-bed military hospital in Malé, including training the MNDF doctors and paramedics.

The Minister said that the helipad would be constructed in the park in front of the VOM building in order to provide swift medical assistance to those who are brought there in emergency situations.

He further said that the helicopter promised by the Indian Government would arrive in Maldives by the end of next month. The expenses for the helicopter would be borne by the Indian Government for the first three years, he said, adding that they were also training pilots for the helicopters.

The joint statement further said that the Indian Navy and MNDF would carry out joint surveillance and patrolling of the seas in the region. - HNS