Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has said that speedboats will be deployed to atoll hospitals by the end of this month, strengthening transport systems and improving the delivery of healthcare services across the Maldives.

Speaking to State media, the minister said reliable transport is one of the most important components of healthcare delivery in the atolls, as it allows specialist doctors from regional and atoll hospitals to travel to health centres on different islands more efficiently. He said strengthening transportation links will make it easier to deliver services closer to communities and improve outreach programmes.

According to the minister, speed launches are being provided to seven atolls that currently do not have hospital boats. Two launches will soon be delivered to Dhaalu Atoll and Huvadhu Atoll, while the remaining four are expected to be provided before the end of the month. He said these speedboats will be particularly important in situations where sea ambulances are unavailable, enabling faster response during emergencies.

The Ministry of Health said the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare services nationwide and ensure that residents of the atolls can benefit fully from services provided by atoll hospitals. The launches are being provided under the Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility Project, implemented in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank.

According to the ministry, the speedboats will be used to support outreach services provided by atoll hospitals, facilitate the delivery of vaccines to islands, transport laboratory samples from islands without testing facilities, and provide emergency transport when required. The vessels are specifically designed for use in emergency situations.

Of the seven launches planned under the current phase of the project, three have already been brought to Malé. Under the Maldives Health Line programme, a total of 20 speedboats will be provided to hospitals across 20 atolls. The ministry said 38-foot speedboats will be allocated to most atolls, while larger 42-foot vessels will be assigned to Huvadhu Atoll and Fuvahmulah to meet operational needs.