Emergency motion over lack of testing facilities in southernmost Addu City, has been submitted to the People’s Majlis.

The motion, submitted by Naifaru constituency MP Ahmed Shiyam, expressed concern over the inability to test in the city “with the second largest population” in the country.

Noting that there are over 35,000 people residing in Addu, Shiyam added that having to charter flights to bring samples to the capital “is an added cost”.

The motion also highlights that officials from the city’s hospitals have complained over the lack of protective gear there, and raises the issue that facility to be established in Addu is yet to be completed. It also notes that the healthcare professionals in the southernmost city is yet to be given adequate training of Covid-19 treatment.

MP Shiyam’s motion also notes concern over the lack of a plan, in a situation where a Covid-19 transmission is detected in Addu.

He highlighted that the safety of the city’s residents can only be ensured after all these issues are addressed and fixed.

While there was a Covid-19 scare in Addu last week, after a patient transferred from there to the capital tested positive for coronavirus, he has since been confirmed negative following two additional tests.