Male: The Maldives has resumed using a Dornier aircraft and two helicopters gifted by India for medical evacuation services, a media report said on Saturday. President Mohammed Muizzu has thanked India for enabling the resumption of medical evacuation services.

President Muizzu had imposed a ban

The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) gave this information to the local media. It said that this time these services have been started with a civilian team sent from India. Dornier aircraft and helicopters were previously operated by Indian military personnel and were discontinued soon after President Muizzu was sworn in.

However, India has not taken back the Dornier aircraft and helicopters gifted to the Maldives a few years ago. Indians have been deployed in Hanimaadhoo to operate the Dornier aircraft and in Laamu Kadhdhoo and Seenu Gan to operate the helicopters. A total of 76 Indians are present in it.

Medical evacuation begins with aircraft

President Muizzu announced the resumption of medical evacuation by aircraft at an official ceremony held at the Youth Centre on the occasion of the 59th Independence Day. This was the first time a patient was airlifted to Male with the help of an Indian aircraft after the replacement of military personnel.