UNICEF donates MVR 1.73 million in laptops, test kits to HEOC

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Maldives has donated 46 laptops and 5,000 PCR test kits to Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) to support Maldives’ COVID-19 response efforts.

The donation is worth MVR 1.73 million.

In a statement on Monday, UNICEF noted that HEOC is the heart of the COVID-19 response operations, and the working groups within the center have been working under very challenging conditions such as limited staff and shortage of computers.

 UNICEF said that the 46 laptops donated by the organization will be used for the work of 17 crucial working groups including; the Rapid Response Team (RRT), Call Center, Contact Tracing, Media and Communication, Medical Supplies and Planning and Coordination.

Meanwhile, the UNICEF expects the 5,000 PCR test kits to help HEOC’s expand testing.

UNICEF’s support to the Maldivian health sector for COVID-19 response exceeds MVR 17 million.

The organization has announced that it will provide the Health Ministry with funding to acquire additional human resources as well as two shipments of medical equipment for Intensive Care Units in the coming few weeks.