Pediatric Infections Expert and Member of the Technical Advisory Team Dr. Nazla Musthafa has recommended strengthening Covid-19 health and safety measures as a number of health professionals continue to test positive for Covid-19.
Dr. Nazla Musthafa made the remarks in an appearance on Raajje TV's "Fala Surukhee" programme, stating that with the increasing number of positive cases being reported, the situation of Covid-19 had worsened in the Maldives. Dr. Nazla highlighted that a number of health professionals had also been testing positive for Covid-19, and that all health workers would be compelled to treat a patient instead of neglecting their care. However, Dr. Nazla Musthafa added that in the present state, health professionals had been facing difficulties in treating Covid-positive patients, in addition to those who require medical attention for other conditions.
Dr. Nazla Musthafa acknowledged the hard work being done by health service providers in the country, noting that some nurses had been working 12-hour shifts regularly as part of their new normal.
In referring to some of the restrictions being implemented to curb the spread of Covid-19, Dr. Nazla Musthafa stated that they had always been thinking of the health side, and revealed that authorities wished to limit gatherings even further in order to control the virus' spread.
Dr. Nazla Musthafa went on to highlight that it was a great achievement that the Maldives had been able to administer first doses of Covid-19 vaccines to 52 percent of the eligible population. She added that the Covid-19 situation in the Maldives would likely be much worse than it is now had fewer persons been vaccinated against the infection.
During the interview, Dr. Nazla Musthafa remarked that while there were four known variants of Covid-19 spreading across the globe, it was likely that some of those variants could be found in Maldives as well. In exploring details about this phenomena, Dr. Nazla Musthafa stated that the AstraZeneca and Covishield vaccines would be effective against the UK variant and Brazil variant of Covid-19 identified from abroad.
