India is set to strengthen emergency healthcare connectivity across Pacific Island countries with the planned supply of 20 sea ambulances by March 2027. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced the initiative at the India-Pacific Islands cooperation meeting held in New York during the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The ambulances have been requested by 12 Pacific Island countries, with procurement currently underway in India. The vessels are intended to support emergency medical transportation and evacuations across island communities where geographical distance can limit access to hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
100-bed super-speciality hospital under development in Fiji
India is also progressing with a 100-bed super-speciality hospital in Fiji. The facility is part of India’s wider healthcare cooperation with Pacific Island countries and is expected to strengthen access to advanced medical services within the region.
India has also supplied haemodialysis equipment to several Pacific nations, including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Palau, Nauru, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands, with deliveries to additional countries underway.
Healthcare cooperation extends beyond hospital infrastructure
At the meeting, Jaishankar also highlighted a planned artificial-limb fitment camp in Fiji, expected to benefit around 650 patients. India’s broader Pacific partnership includes healthcare, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, connectivity and capacity-building initiatives.
India has completed solarisation of 2,800 households across 14 Pacific Island countries and trained 70 women solar engineers, alongside other development projects under the FIPIC framework and the India-UN Development Partnership Fund.
The latest initiatives reflect the expansion of India’s development partnership with Pacific Island countries, with healthcare projects addressing both access to specialised treatment and the logistical challenges of providing emergency medical services across geographically dispersed communities.
