Dharumavantha Hospital's ICU is set-up and fully equipped for handling patients severely infected with coronavirus, if and when such a situation arises in the Maldives.
The Maldives has strengthened precautionary measures and health protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus outbreak that is spreading rapidly across the globe. In that regard, the state has established a protocol to detect infected people. Furthermore, the government have been developing means to provide treatment for such people. Moreover, vehicles are arranged for carrying suspected cases to the necessary health service providers or to the designated locations.
It is confirmed that an ICU with 4-beds and other necessary facilities is designated for serious cases of coronavirus. The ICU is located at the 11th Floor of Dharumavantha Hospital, an extension to the state-run Indira Gandi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).
In addition, three ambulances are in standby to carry suspected cases; one ambulance at IGMH, the other ambulance kept at Velana International Airport and the third ambulance is kept at Hulhumale’
Two isolation facilities.
An isolation facility with 12 beds is established in Hulhumale’ for infected cases of coronavirus. Furthermore, an isolation facility is established at the Velana International Airport as well.
Previously the government have said that an isolation facility will be established in Funadhoo, a small island in between Male’ and Hulhule’ as well in case the virus is detected in the Maldives
Stringent screening
The government have initiated the screening of the people who come from abroad at Velana International Airport (VIA) via thermal screening and with the aid of a special camera, all the passengers that arrive the Maldives are being screened since 22 January. Furthermore, screening is done in Addu International Airport. Besides work in ongoing to establish screening setup in other points of entires.
Employees trained
As another precautionary measure, to handle the outbreak, employees of the health ministry, employees of VIA, and employees of other agencies related to the airport and other relevant authorities are trained in four rounds.
Outbreak highly likely in the Maldives
The Maldives is a popular tourist destination, especially among Chinese tourists. Many tourists from China arrive in the Maldives every day.
The coronavirus that is initially identified in China has now spread to several cities of the country. As a precautionary measure, movement in and out of certain cities are locked down.
The virus is now detected in many countries Maldivians travel, such as Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia and Thailand.
The relevant authorities revealed that the coronavirus risk assessment is now done in the Maldives. As per the coronavirus Risk Assessment, the chance of an outbreak is highly likely in the Maldives. Therefore, the government is painstakingly taking the necessary precautionary measures.
