Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, Zhang Lizhong has implied that discussions are underway to donate machinery to conduct Covid-19 testing, to the Maldivian government.

Responding to a Tweet stressing on the importance of acquiring more testing machines that the country lacks, the Chinese Ambassador noted that this is “indeed in discussion”.

However, the ambassador did not disclose further details.

The eastern Asian country has been providing aid to the Maldives in several ways since the Covid-19 pandemic emerged in the country in March this year.

As such the country donated a consignment of essential supplies including medical equipment to the Maldivian government.

Currently, Covid-19 testing can only be carried out in two laboratories in the island nation; the National Reference Laboratory stationed inside Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) as well as the Forensic Laboratory at the Maldives Police Service (MPS).

Authorities earlier revealed that 16 lab technicians have been trained to carry out testing procedures.

Earlier, Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen revealed that Maldives had a capacity to conduct 50 – 100 tests per day at the beginning, however, it has since increased to 400 tests.

Concerns have been rising among the public regarding the country’s lack of resources due to which health experts are unable to effectively trace the spread of the virus.