The U.S Pacific Command has held an emergency medical training exercise in Addu City, after partnering with Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and the Ministry of Health.

The training was held in from January 29 to February 2, in Addu City, the southernmost atoll in the country.

The training was held, with the aim of 'increasing the capacity of Maldivian first responders to save lives in the event of a medical emergency.'

Those who took part in the training include; members of MNDF Southern Area Command, Hithadhoo Regional Hospital and the Maldivian Red Crescent.

The training's topics included "emergency trauma care, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and triage and transportation." Officers from MNDF were able to learn the proper placement of a tourniquet to stop bleeding, while sea and land ambulance operators were taught the best procedures for loading patients with neck and spinal injuries during transportation to medical facilities. Medical personnel who took part in the training were taught on how to use new life support equipment in a local land ambulace.

Noting that "first responder training is particularly crucial for remote islands, as it can take hours to transport a trauma patient to a medical facility", the U.S Embassy in a press release issued on Thursday, said that the U.S Pacific Command will hold its next training exercise in the northernmost atoll, Haa Alif Atoll.

Speaking regarding the four-day training, U.S. Ambassador to the Maldives, Atul Keshap said that the United States "is proud to support Maldivian efforts to strengthen emergency response and provide basic life support services."

"We will continue to partner with Maldives on this critically important lifesaving medical training," Keshap added.