Singaporean billionaire Ong's generous donation of ventilators received

15 ventilators donated by the Singaporean billionaire Ong Beng Seng has been received by the Maldives.

The billionaire is the owner of the Hotel Properties Limited which runs a number of resorts in the Maldives and announced his decision to donate the ventilators to the Maldives, which is facing a shortage of medical equipment and supplies due to COVID-19, last month.

The Maldivian government has been working to increase the capacity of the country's health sector and has received generous donations from private well-wishers as well.

Mr. Ong also pledged to donate 150,000 face masks to the Maldives. They are to be received on May 13, said the Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Shahid. In a tweet, the Minister stated that he was grateful for the donation of ventilators and stated that the assistance of Mr. Ong would not be forgotten by the Maldives.

Very grateful to Mr. Ong Beng Seng, Hotel Properties Ltd. for the generous donation of 15 Ventilators that arrived in #Maldives today & 150,000 face masks that will arrive on 13 May. Your generosity towards the Maldivian people at this hour of great need will not be forgotten.

— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) May 4, 2020

Minister Shahid also noted that 5000 face masks donated by the owner of Hiap Huat Paints Co. Mr. Ng Swan Meen was also received by the Maldives, before thanking Mr. Ng for the donation.

The Maldives has been working to increase its medical capacity as it battles against the spread of COVID-19 which has confirmed more than 500 cases and one death in the nation. Currently, the authorities are looking to source 135 ventilators through international organizations and government expenditure. Six portable ventilators have been received by the country so far.