The Ministry of Health registered the highest spending under the government’s expenditure towards Covid-19 health and social response efforts between March 25 – April 1.

Latest statistics publicized by the Ministry of Finance reveal that the total Covid-19 expenditure related to the health and social sectors sat at MVR 1,611.7 million by the beginning of the month whereas the total economic response expenditure reached MVR 1,691.6 million by then.

The government’s expenditure towards Covid-19 health and social response efforts saw a three percent increase between March 25 – April 1 in comparison to the previous week whereas the total disbursements made to Economic Response Package schemes saw a one percent increase during the review period.

Out of the total health and social efforts expenses, 43.3 percent was committed spending and the ministry made a contribution of MVR 44.9 million during the week, a majority of which was for supplies and requisites for service provision.

Since the health and social recovery efforts kicked off, the highest expenditure thus far has been registered by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), at MVR 867.9 million. The top contribution by NDMA was for supplies and requisites for service provision at MVR 362.7 million.

The second highest expenditure was registered by the health ministry, which has spent 449.1 million out of which 273.0 million was for travel expenses.

Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) spent 97.6 million overall by April 1, out of which 27.4 million was for supplies and requisites for service provision.

Out of the 67.6 million Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has spent so far on health and social response efforts since it began, 48.5 million was for employee wages as well as 15.9 million for supplies and requisites.

Throughout the response efforts, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) has spent a total of 31.1 million thus far.

MVR 37.3 million out of the total health and social expenses was from the Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. The Foreign Ministry also spent 6.8 million, and the Maldives Immigration, 900,000. Other contributors include the Ministry of Higher Education having spent 3.3 million, the Ministry of Tourism with 28.8 million in expenses and the Gender Ministry at 4.2 million in expenses.

Government institutions have thus far spent a total of 201.2 million for capital equipment as well as 192.6 million for operational services and 128.8 million for employee allowances.

Between March 25 – April 1, there were no additional disbursements except for the distribution of income support allowances.