Vaccine equity in Maldives hailed by UN Resident Coordinator

The United Nation's Resident Coordinator in Maldives Ms. Catherine Haswell has hailed the organized and equitable distribution of vaccines across the island nation as an example for other world countries.

While the National Covid-19 Vaccination Programme had begun in the Maldives on 1 February, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had announced the nation's Covid-response plan as to vaccinate all those living in the country against Covid-19, free of cost, and irrespective of nationality. As such, vaccination efforts have now been initiated by the Maldivian Red Crescent for undocumented migrant workers living in the country as well.

In a statement released by the UN's Resident Coordinator Office in Maldives, Ms. Catherine Haswell had hailed the Maldives' vaccine distribution policy, welcoming the efforts being led by President Solih to have all those living in the Maldives vaccinated against Covid-19 free of cost. She added that the Maldives organized and equitable vaccine distribution system was an example for other world nations as well.

In her statement, Ms. Haswell congratulated the Maldives on the island nation's commitment to prioritize vaccination for frontline workers, in addition to vaccinating immigrants and undocumented workers across country.

Ms. Haswell's statement also highlighted the coordination and organizational contributions of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF in conducting the Covid-19 vaccination programme in the Maldives, noting the logistics and training assistance provided for healthcare workers, in addition to the facilities established to store vaccines.

As of now, a total of 123,665 persons have been vaccinated against Covid-19 in the Maldives thus far. Those above the age of 18 can now receive vaccines from the capital of Male', and priority is being given to frontline workers, elderly persons and high-risk individuals in distributing vaccines across the island nation.