LocationsPOST-COVID CARE EQUIPMENT HANDED OVER TO THE GOVERNMENT OF MALDIVES BY UNDP, WITH SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
June 6, 2023
Malé, 6 June 2023: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and emergency lifesaving health supplies have been delivered to the Ministry of Health by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Maldives, with support from the People’s Republic of China, under the project ‘CHINA-UNDP Triangular Cooperation Response to COVID-19 in the Asia and Pacific Region.’
The equipment will strengthen Maldives’s frontline healthcare systems, improve the country’s capacity to treat cases of COVID-19, and enhance the support of intensive care treatment for other respiratory and life-threatening illnesses. The PPE distributed to healthcare workers will allow them to continue their work in post-COVID care while preventing further spread of the disease safely and effectively. Additionally, on-site training will be provided to healthcare professionals on the proper and safe use of equipment.
Over 4000 pairs of gloves, 16 Automated External Defibrillators (AED) and 10 neonatal ventilators were received by the Minister of Health His Excellency Ahmed Naseem on behalf of the Government, from the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Maldives, Her Excellency Wang Lixin.
The emergency lifesaving health supplies and PPE are set to be distributed to national counterparts at the frontlines, focusing on healthcare workers outside the capital city of Malé. The neonatal ventilators will be placed across the country in 10 different atoll hospitals: Haa Alifu Atoll Hospital; Shaviyani Atoll Hospital; Noonu Atoll Hospital; Baa Atoll Hospital; Lhaviyani Atoll Hospital; Meemu Regional Hospital; Dhaalu Atoll Hospital; Thaa Atoll Hospital; Gaafu Alif Atoll Hospital, and Fuvahmulah Hospital.
The pandemic has caused a significant strain on public health systems and has also resulted in ongoing social and economic problems, which adds to the preexisting sustainable development challenges.
Speaking at the Ceremony, Minister Ahmed Naseem, highlighted that Maldives is a nation dependent on the importation of medicine and medical and personal protective equipment and that the country appreciates donation of these items. “It gives me great pleasure to know that the benefits of this donation will build the capacity of 10 atoll health facilities on the periphery."
Her excellency Ms. Wang Lixin, Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, said “China is willing to expand cooperation with the Maldives in the field of health, to bring more tangible benefits to the Maldivian People. We are also ready to further carry out tripartite cooperation with UNDP to implement Global Development Initiative and promote the sustainable social and economic development of Maldives.”
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in the Maldives, Ms. Vera Hakim alluded to how the China-UNDP project in service of the Maldives embodies the spirit of collaboration and unity in addressing the challenges imposed by health crises, and empowers the Maldivian government, medical personnel, and the public to respond effectively to pandemic situations.
The post-COVID care equipment provided today is part of the ongoing efforts of UNDP and China to reduce the impact of COVID-19. It is supported through ‘CHINA-UNDP Triangular Cooperation Response to COVID-19 in the Asia and Pacific Region’ project and aims to strengthen the COVID-19 preparedness, response, and recovery capacities focusing on four countries (Bangladesh, Maldives, Lao PDR, and Pakistan). In the Maldives, the project aims to support government officials, medical personnel and the public in response to the pandemic through technology transfer and provision of PPE and emergency life-saving products.
Speech by Vera Hakim, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Maldives
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