Maldives has established an international emergency medical response and coordination team amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ministry of Tourism stated the team constitutes of 2 experienced doctors, a coordinator, 2 nurses and a technician. The 2 doctors will collaborate with the advisory committee of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC). The coordinator will assist the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in managing and overseeing operations to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Maldives. The two nurses will work in quarantine facilities in Vilivaru, Kaafu Atoll and Velidhoo, Alifu Alifu Atoll, while the technician will travel to attend identified positive cases as a first response emergency medical professional. The team includes experts from South Africa, the UK and the US.
The government has installed thermal cameras in airports and established a 30-room quarantine facility in Vilivaru with support from businesses in the tourism industry. The tourism sector has also supplied medical equipment and masks required at the NDMA.