UNDP Handover Post-Covid Care Equipment to the Maldives with Support From Chinese Gov’t

On Tuesday, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) delivered Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and emergency lifesaving health supplies to the Ministry of Health of Maldives. The handover of post-covid care equipment was facilitated 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 supplied equipment will assist the Maldives in further strengthening its frontline healthcare systems, improve the country’s capacity to treat COVID-19 cases and enhance the support of intensive care treatment for other respiratory and life-threatening illnesses. Moreover, the PPE provided for healthcare workers will enable them to continue their efforts in post-COVID care safely while preventing the spread of disease in an effective manner.

As part of the handover, on-site training will also be provided to healthcare professionals, enlightening them on the proper and safe use of equipment. As part of this generous donation, more than 4000 pairs of gloves, 16 Automated External Defibrillators (AED) and 20 neonatal ventilators were presented to the Ministry of Health of Maldives. Minister of Health, H.E. Ahmed Naseem received the supplies from the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Maldives, H.E. Wang Lixin.

The post-covid care equipment and PPE will be distributed nationwide to healthcare workers outside the capital city Male’. Due to the pandemic, public healthcare systems are facing great strains which have led to socioeconomic problems. These issues add to the already existing sustainable development challenges which pose a barrier to achieving the objectives of Agenda 30.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem remarked that Maldives is a nation dependent on the importation of medicine and medical and personal protective equipment. He expressed his appreciation for the donations stating: “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.