The Ministry of Health registered a majority of expenses towards Covid-19 health and social efforts in the last week of October.

Latest statistics publicized by the Ministry of Finance reveal that the government’s expenditure towards Covid-19 response efforts reached MVR four billion by October 21, with the total economic response expenditure remaining unchanged at MVR 1,773.3 million, whereas expenses in the health and social efforts reached MVR 2,152 million between October 21 – 28.

According to the ministry, the total expenses made towards health and social efforts in the reporting period was an increase of 0.1 percent in comparison to the previous week and 32.5 percent was committed spending.

A majority of expenses were covered by Ministry of Health on operational services. The ministry has so far spent MVR 843.4 million on health and social response efforts since it began, out of which MVR 587.8 million was for supplies and requisites for service provision.

The next highest spending was recorded from Hulhumalé Hospital in the week, on operational services as well. Hulhumalé Hospital has spent MVR 5.3 million in expenses so far.

By October 28, government institutions had spent a total of MVR 1,130.5 million for supplies and requisites to provide services, MVR 213.3 million for operational services, MVR 166.2 million for grants, contributions and subsidies as well as MVR 201.9 million for capital equipment.

Other increases in expenditure last week were recorded from the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services which has spent MVR 4.7 million so far as well as the National Social Protection Agency having contributed MVR 54.8 million as grants contributions and subsidies so far.

Since the health and social recovery efforts began, NDMA has registered a total of MVR 868.4 million, out of which MVR 784.4 million was from its domestic budget.

Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IMGH) has spent MVR 193.2 million so far.

Throughout the response efforts, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) has spent a total of MVR 31.7 million thus far.

MVR 40.9 million out of the total health and social expenses was from the Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and MVR 67.6 million from the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF).

Other contributors include the Ministry of Higher Education having spent MVR 3.3 million, the National Drug Agency having spent MVR 1.9 million and the Ministry of Tourism with MVR 29.2 in expenses. The Foreign Ministry also spent MVR 6.8 million, with Maldives Immigration having spent MVR 900,000.