USA Airlifts Emergency Medical Equipment to the Maldives, Includes the Archipelago Among First to Receive Covid Vaccine Donation

Yesterday, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Martin Kelly and USAID Mission Director, Reed Aeschliman virtually joined the Maldivian Minister of State for Health, His Excellency Dr. Shah Abdullah Mahir, and Maldivian Foreign Secretary, Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed to welcome a flight to Malé carrying necessary emergency supplies worth over USD 124,000, donated by the American people. Secretary, Multilateral at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Hala Hameed, and senior officials from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also in attendance at the event. 
 
The donation is part of the American people’s greater effort to win the fight against the ongoing pandemic and to provide on-the-ground, life-saving support for both frontline health workers and critically ill patients, said U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Martin Kelly. USAID Mission Director, Mr. Reed Aeschliman similarly reassured to continue the ongoing partnership between Maldives and USAID in overcoming the pandemic and other long-term developmental challenges. 
 
The equipment received in the donation includes 184,000 units of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), 600 fingertip pulse oximeters, and 1,200 batteries for the pulse oximeters. Critical medical equipment is vital in this stage of the pandemic in the country to ensure safety for the health care workers and front-line workers in the field on a regular basis.  
 
Thanking the USA for their support, Foreign Secretary, Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed noted that the United States has always proven to be a close and reliable friend, especially during challenging times such as now. 
 
He further highlighted the inclusion of Maldives among the list of countries to receive the selfless donation of the first 25 million doses of COVAX in expanding the capacity of the vulnerable countries in the battle against Covid19. He stated that the donation would mean added support in the rigorous ongoing efforts to revive the economy of Maldives. Minister of State for Health, Dr. Shah Abdulla Mahir also conveyed thanks for the kind gesture and the continued support from USA to the Maldives. 
 
Foreign Minister of the Maldives, Abdulla Shahid, and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also have sent their messages of gratitude to the leaders of USA for the donations and the decision to include Maldives for the vaccine donation.