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WHO donates 10,000 COVID-19 testing kits to Maldives

Fathmath Shaahunaz
19 May 2020, MVT 09:05
Health Minister Abdulla Ameen (L) speaks with WHO Representative Dr Arvind Mathur during the virtual ceremony held May 18, 2020, during which the WHO donated 10,000 testing kits for COVID-19 and PPE to Maldives. PHOTO/HEALTH MINISTRY
Fathmath Shaahunaz
19 May 2020, MVT 09:05

World Health Organisation (WHO) provided 10,000 testing kits for COVID-19 and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Maldives on Monday.

With this donation, the international health agency has gifted total 21,000 testing kits for the novel coronavirus to the island nation till date.

In addition, the PPE provided by WHO includes face mask, gowns and face shields among other equipment, according to the Ministry of Health.

Health Minister Abdulla Ameen conveyed his gratitude to the WHO for its continued support, in a call to the organisation's Representative to Maldives Dr Arvind Mathur.

The health ministry further noted that the WHO is set to increase the amount of testing kits allotted for Maldives in the future.

In addition to the testing kits and PPE, the WHO has extended notable support to Maldives in the COVID-19 response, in the form of technical assistance, arrangements to conduct tests for the coronavirus in various regions of the country, and procuring aid from other organisations for Maldives.

Maldives presently records 1,094 confirmed and 1,016 active cases of COVID-19. The country has reported four fatalities and a total of 74 recoveries till date.

WHO has classified the spread of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The new strain of novel coronavirus has infected over 4.85 million people and claimed over 318,300 lives around the world. However, out of those infected, 1.88 million people have recovered.

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