Top health officials of SAARC meet over COVID-19

Top officials of the health sector of SAARC nations met today via video conference to discuss and take safeguards against the COVID-19 pandemic virus.

The Director-General of Public Health Maimoonaa Aboobakuru, who is leading the effort against the virus in the Maldives, represented the country at the meeting.

Experiences and information gathered by countries regarding the virus were shared at the meeting. Challenges were also identified and the countries noted the importance of collaborative action in overcoming the pandemic.

The Director-General briefed on the steps being taken against the virus in the Maldives and noted the extreme difficulties faced in sourcing machinery, medicine, and equipment during the situation. She noted that the Maldives was a country heavily dependent on imports and highlighted how the matter could be smoothened with a collective effort and work of other nations of SAARC.

The meeting also saw all countries agree on further such meetings and conduct discussions on similar matters to find a collective solution.