An emergency medical management training session has been held at Velana International Airport (VIA) to prepare for the upcoming airport full-scale emergency exercise (AFEX).

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), which operates VIA, said the programme was organised by Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in collaboration with MACL. A total of 73 staff members from IGMH, Hulhumalé Hospital, Tree Top Hospital, ADK, Maldives Emergency Medical Services (MEMS), and Airport Emergency Services took part in the training.

The AFEX drill, scheduled for next Monday, will test VIA’s emergency response plan, the standard operating procedures of relevant institutions, and airline protocols in case of an emergency.

According to MACL, AFEX is mandated by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to ensure preparedness for potential emergencies at the airport.

The last full-scale emergency exercise at VIA was conducted in 2022. This year’s AFEX will see the participation of 33 institutions and 391 volunteers.