Executors General Trading based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates has delivered 10 ventilators to the Maldives.

The 10 mobile ventilators were delivered to the island nation on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Health initially contracted the company to deliver 75 ventilators in support of the government’s response efforts against the global Covid-19 pandemic, during March 2020.

The contract is worth MVR 34.50 million and the new shipment is to replace a shipment that was delivered earlier that did not fit the criterion set by the ministry.

The ministry’s Deputy Director General, Thasleemaa Usman told RaajjeMV that work is currently underway to acquire customs clearance on the ventilators.

Once the clearance process is completed, authorities will check whether they match the criteria set by the ministry and begin operating the machines as soon as possible.

The contract to procure ventilators through the Dubai-based company was as part of the country’s efforts to enhance the capacity of the health system in the treatment of the global infection, particularly for critical patients.

There were reports that there were wrongdoings in the ministry’s expenses for the project, according to a special audit report following which the Anti-Corruption Commission and Maldives Police Service (MPS) are currently running an investigation.

The delay in procuring the ventilators drew public scrutiny and the Finance Minister, Ibrahim Ameer has since assured that the authorities will acquire a reimbursement if the ventilators are not procured.