Foreign Minister: Maldives will not discriminate between Bangladeshis and Maldivians in treating virus patients

Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, on Wednesday, said the Maldivian government would not discriminate between Bangladeshis and Maldivians in treating COVID-19 patients.

He made the remark at a ceremony held at the Maldives Port to handover 100 metric tonnes of commodities, medicine and protective equipment donated by the Bangladeshi government to aid in the combat against the rapid spread of the new coronavirus within Maldives.

“While Maldives had been able to control the spread of COVID-19 for one month, we note with sadness that this disease is now spreading rapidly within the Maldives as a community spread. We also note with sadness that Bangladeshi workers in Maldives have also fallen victim to this disease,” said Shahid. “However, I want to provide assurance that we will not discriminate between Maldivians and Bangladeshis or any other foreign nationality in treating patients. Healthcare and protection will be provided to everyone, irrespective of nationality.”

The 100 metric tonnes of commodities, medicine and protective equipment donated by the Bangladeshi government had been transported to Maldives by the Bangladeshi Navy.

It includes 20,000 PPE sets, 960 eye protection goggles, and 5,000 piece hand sanitizer.

The ceremony was attended by Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi, Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal, and the Bangladeshi High Commissioner Rear Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan.

Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi Air Force had also assisted the Maldivian government evacuate 71 Maldivian medical students stranded in Bangladesh and Nepal.

The Bangladeshi government also sent 10 medical professionals to aid in Maldives on board the same Bangladeshi Air Force aircraft.

Foreign Minister Shahid expressed appreciation for the generous contributions, and thanked the the Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, the Bangladeshi government, its military, and also its people.

Meanwhile, High Commissioner Hassan thanked the Maldivian government for ensuring the welfare of Bangladesh nationals in Maldives, and reiterated the support of the Bangladeshi government in all efforts of Maldivian government to fight against COVID-19.