The government of Maldives has received a donation of medical and laboratory supplies by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday.

The Ministry of Health revealed this via an announcement shortly after, noting that the donation aims to support the country’s response efforts towards the global Covid-19 pandemic and under efforts to enhance the health system in general.

WHO’s Country Representative to the Maldives, Dr. Arvind Mathur presented the donation to acting Ministry of Health as well as Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam during a ceremony held at the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) in the afternoon.

The medical equipment donated includes supplies for regional laboratories as well as Intensive Care Units.

The ministry revealed that the consignment includes setups for portable digital X-ray machines in two ICUs at regional level as well as 3,600 Gene-Xpert cartridges for laboratory diagnostics.

Further, items donated for two regionals laboratories include 20 molecular grade TE buffer, four PCR cooler/cold packs Eppendorf, six PCR workstations with UV, 30 spray bottles (500ml), two twins door refrigerators with temperature indicator and 1,000 triple package containers.

The donation is expected to enhance the services at ICUs and regional laboratories.

WHO has been supporting the island nation acquire important medical equipment from other nations, even having donated Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and other important supplies required in the face of the ongoing pandemic.