Japan has donated medical equipment to the government of Maldives.
During the ceremony held at the Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC) stationed at Dharubaaruge on Tuesday, Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, Keiko Yanai handed the consignment over to the Maldives Minister of Health, Ahmed Naseem
The donation comes under an Exchange of Notes for the grant of 600 million Japanese Yen which is approximately USD 5.6 million, which was signed between both governments during June last year.
The government of Japan expressed hope that the grant assistance of USD 5.6 million with take the island nation’s healthcare capacity across atoll and regional hospitals, and the sector to new heights as well as contribute to the development of the health sector.
The consignment handed over to the Maldives on Tuesday include 65 bedside monitors, 19 portable ultrasound machines, 19 defibrillators, 10 portable X-Ray machines, 132 syringe pumps and 132 syringe pump accessories
The donation aims to support the Maldives efforts to increase healthcare capacity across regional and atoll hospitals across the archipelago nation, alongside enhancing the country’s Covid-19 response efforts.
The Embassy of Japan has stressed on the pressing need for collective cooperation to curb the spread of Covid-19 as well as to enhance healthcare systems and minimize the impact of socio-economic challenges posed by the pandemic, to the most vulnerable.
Since the pandemic surfaced in the Maldives, Japan has been a generous contributor, having facilitated a Covid-19 Response Emergency Loan of USD 47.5 million in September last year.
In addition, Japan donated 21 paramedic ambulances to the Maldives health sector valued at USD 1.4 million to be disbursed to 21 islands across 15 atolls, during October 2019 as well.
Japan and Maldives also signed an Exchange of Notes worth USD 7.6 million during November last year, with the aim to strengthen the capacity of the Maldives Coast Guard, the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Center, Sub-Regional Centers and Vessels.
