The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated 5000 COVID-19 test kits to the Maldives. The organization previously donated 6000 kits to the archipelago to increase its testing capacity for the virus.
The contribution was handed over to the Maldives government in a ceremony held Monday. The kits were received by Health Minister Abdulla Ameen on behalf of the Maldives' government.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Ameen said the government is working to further increase the country's testing capacity for COVID-19. The WHO, Health Protection Agency (HPA), and other technical experts are working together to curb the spread of the virus, said the minister.
Over 1500 tests have been carried out in the Maldives thus far, out of which 19 came back positive.
The minister said the government is working to establish better testing facilities at state-run Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in capital Male', and that the government will be spending a significant amount for the upgrade. The government is also working to establish testing capacity within the atolls, revealed the minister.
