Defence Minister, Mariya Ahmed Didi has said that the emergency transportation of ill people on Coast Guard Vessels are now arranged in an adequate manner.

In a video message on the occasion of the Coast Guard’s 40th anniversary, the Defence Minister said that the current government is going to make sure MNDF officers are professionals with the capacity for their duties and have the respect of the public.

Since 99.97 percent of the country is the ocean, Minister Mariya said that the Coast Guard has a heavy task on their shoulders be in providing security or human aid. And the Coast Guard is on the ready regardless of weather when it comes to transporting a patient from one island to another.

She said that requests for patient transfer can now be made directly by calling 191; which can also help arrange sea ambulance transfers.

The Defence Minister said that public now recognizes the Coast Guard services and we see the Coast Guard working diligently in response to incidents at sea.