The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has donated laboratory equipment and supplies to the Ministry of Health to establish a gene-sequencing facility in the National Health Laboratory.
Director of the USAID Sri Lanka/Maldives Office of Governance and Vulnerable Populations Kevin Dean officially handed over the equipment to Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem at a special ceremony.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Director Kevin Dean said the day marks progress in the fight against COVID-19 as one hundred different essential laboratory equipment and supplies have been provided to the National Health Laboratory. He said the gene-sequencing facility is fully equipped and ready for service and that USAID-supported experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO) will train the laboratory personnel in molecular diagnostics and genotyping of COVID-19, and mentor them in gene sequencing.
Also at the ceremony, Minister Naseem highlighted the longstanding diplomatic relations between the Maldives and expressed gratitude towards USAID for assisting in the development of the Maldives. He noted the most benefit was received in managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
The gene-sequencing facility is the first public sector facility in the Maldives to conduct gene sequencing of COVID-19 and will help to detect different strains of the virus and respond accordingly. The facility can be expanded in the future to conduct molecular diagnostics and gene sequencing for other emerging pathogen-based pandemics in the Maldives. USAID has also supported the health ministry in procuring 1.5 million units of gloves for infection and prevention control among health care workers in the Maldives.