State-run Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) has revealed that 16 laboratory technicians have been trained to collect blood samples for Covid-19 testing.

This was revealed by the hospital via a statement released in commemoration of the "Laboratory Professional Week", held between 19 to 25 April.

The statement reads that there were just three laboratory professionals to conduct polymerise chain reaction (PCR) testing, when the first Covid-19 case was discovered in the Maldives.

However, they were quick to respond and conduct training for other professionals from then on.

Currently there are a total of 13 trained professionals, one professional from the laboratory of the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and two professionals from the laboratory at the Society for Health Education (SHE) to conduct PCR testing.

The statement further reads that four more laboratory professionals and one from the police lab are currently being trained.

Work is currently underway to build capacity for PCR testing at the hospital laboratory, in cooperation with the relevant authorities.

A total of 4,960 samples had been collected in the Maldives up until Thursday.