Male/New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu today jointly inaugurated the state-of-the-art Ministry of Defence (MoD) building of Maldives in Male.
Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the eleven-storey building is a symbol of the strong and long-standing defence and security cooperation between the two countries, a statement said.
The MoD building has been constructed with India’s financial assistance and will contribute towards enhancing the capabilities of the defence and law enforcement authorities of Maldives.
Following the inauguration of the Dhoshimeynaa Building, the two leaders viewed a model of the building, and learned about its functions and services.
Construction of the building began on 19 February, 2014. The facility will primarily house the Coast Guard division of the Defence Ministry.
India has also formally delivered two advanced portable hospital units to the Maldives, marking a significant enhancement of the island nation’s emergency medical response capacity and reaffirming New Delhi’s commitment to regional health cooperation.
Referred to as ‘Arogya Maitri Health Cubes’, the modular platforms are regarded as the world’s first fully transportable hospitals. Each unit includes an intensive care unit (ICU), operation theatre, blood diagnostic equipment, X-ray machine, and power generator, configured to provide critical care for up to 200 individuals over a 72-hour period.
Engineered for maximum mobility, the systems can be deployed by helicopter to remote areas and achieve full operational readiness in just 12 minutes. Supplementary kits and medicines allow customisation for varied scenarios, supporting a range of emergency situations.
Enhancing this capability is the BHISHM app, a digital tool designed to facilitate configuration and monitor equipment inventories. The Maldives Emergency Medical Service, operating under the Ministry of Health, will oversee the integration of the new facilities into Maldives’ emergency response framework.
India’s assistance to the Maldivian health sector has long reflected a sustained and multifaceted approach. Support has extended to the training of medical personnel, development of urban and atoll-based health infrastructure, and provision of emergency resources, including the expedited supply of Covid-19 vaccines during the pandemic.
