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State expenditure on COVID-19 response reaches MVR 2.3 billion

Ahmed Aiham
06 October 2020, MVT 18:14
Various supplies and equipment stored at the Hulhumale' Medical Facility to treat COVID-19 patients. PHOTO: NISHAN ALI / MIHAARU
Ahmed Aiham
06 October 2020, MVT 18:14

The Ministry of Finance, on Monday, revealed that the state's total expenditure for the COVID-19 response had reached MVR 2.323 billion, as of October 1.

According to weekly statistics published by the ministry, a total of MVR 1,287.7 million from the aforementioned sum was utilized for health and social spending, while the remaining 1,035.3 million was funnelled for the economic response.

Statistics recorded that the National Disaster Management Authority, the Ministry of Health and Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGHM) accounted for 88.3 percent of all COVID-19 spending on health and social efforts.

Furthermore, total disbursements made towards the Income Support scheme, COVID-19 Recovery Loan scheme and Discount on Electricity Bills account for MVR 101.3 million, MVR 900.0 million and MVR 34.0 million, respectively

The ministry also noted that the highest proportion of funds were used to finance the procurement of supplies and requisites for service provisions.

Maldives currently records a total of 10,567 virus cases of which 1,099 are active cases, in addition to 9,427 recoveries and 34 deaths.

During last month, authorities tightened the safety measures implemented in the Greater Male' region, following an alarming upsurge of COVID-19 cases after the state initiated efforts to steer the country towards a 'new normal' with the phased easing of lockdown restrictions.

After a long period of recording over 100 daily cases, the numbers have fallen to two-digits during the most part of September. Within this same period, the number of recoveries saw a significant increase, bringing the number of recovered cases to 89. 2 percent.

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