Health professionals overseas urged to return to Maldives

Health Minister Abdulla Ameen, on Saturday, appealed to Maldivian medical and other health professionals overseas to return to Maldives and join in the government’s efforts in responding to the COVID-19 situation in the country.

Ameen’s appeal comes after the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), on Thursday, issued a public announcement asking for health professionals nation-wide to provide their services by joining in the national virus prevention and containment efforts.

Sun has been informed the Maldivian government had already begun making arrangements to have Maldivian medical students and doctors in Nepal return to Maldives to join in the efforts.

Medical students in Nepal were granted emergency leave from their studies at the request of the Maldivian government on Friday.

104 Maldivian nationals, among them students, interns and doctors, have volunteered to return to Maldives to join the national emergency response team. 33 of them departed to Maldives on Saturday night.

Maldives, on March 12, declared a state of public health emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic, granting the Director General of Public Health the authority to impose special measures to prevent and contain a potential outbreak in Maldives.

13 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Maldives, all of whom are foreign nationals who were either working or vacationing in resorts or safaris. Of the 13 people, five were from Kuredu Island Resort, two from Sandies Bathala, two from Kuramathi Island Resort, two from Anantara Dhigu, and two from Island Safari-1.

Three have since recovered, but continue to be closely monitored at isolation facilities.