World Health Organisation (WHO) has donated an additional 5,000 COVID-19 test kits to Maldives.
The test kits were handed over by WHO Representative to Maldives Dr. Arvind Mathur and were received by Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen at a ceremony held at the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC). Speaking at the ceremony, Health Minister Ameen said Maldives is now aiming to strengthen testing facilities and to test patients who are showing symptoms of the coronavirus. The minister said the health ministry is working closely with WHO to arrange ways to conduct tests outside the Greater Male' region as well. In this regard, he noted gene expert machines have been sent to 6 areas of the country, adding efforts are underway to utilise the machines to conduct COVID-19 tests.
Meanwhile, WHO Representative Mathur lauded the careful step-by-step measures taken by the government in containing COVID-19 in Maldives. He also appreciated the cooperation extended by the public to the authorities.
Currently, two types of kits are used in testing patients, which includes kits for coronavirus and kits for COVID-19. Individuals will undergo COVID-19 tests if they are found to have traces of coronavirus in their bodies which will be determined by the coronavirus test kits.
This is the third time WHO handed test kits to Maldives. Initially, WHO handed 1,000 test kits followed by another 5,000 test kits. The government revealed plans to bring in over 19,000 test kits to Maldives.
While over 1,500 tests have been done in Maldives, 19 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19. Thirteen patients have recovered from COVID-19 and 4 patients are still undergoing treatment in Maldives.