HPA alleges Kandima Resort misled authorities regarding COVID-19 fatality

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has stated that Kandima Maldives resort had provided misleading information regarding the case of an employee of the resort who passed away due to COVID-19. 

Adam Naseer (60), and employee of the resort passed away after being sick for nearly two weeks, according to the family. His family also alleges that the resort was negligent in providing Naseer with healthcare. Police are now looking into the case. 

In a press conference last night, Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) spokesperson Dr. Nazla Rafeeq, responding to a question by Sun, said that the resort officials had provided different accounts of information when teams of HEOC, HPA, and Health Ministry visited the resort regarding the case. A criminal investigation was requested from the police after the health officials saw it as warranted. 

“Further investigations needed to be done from what we saw. That includes different accounts of the patient’s history by the resort.” Said Dr. Nazla. 

This can all be determined fully by a police investigation. When asked who exactly had provided the misleading information, Dr. Nazla said that it was the doctor of the resort. 

HPA has previously said that the resort had not informed them of the sick patient. 

Tourism Ministry is yet to confirm whether any action has been taken against the resort. 

The Ministry has previously said that the permits of operation provided to resorts could be revoked without prior notice if the resorts violate the set safety standards. Kandima Resort is also yet to state anything officially regarding the situation.