Medtech Maldives Private Limited has procured its first batch of ventilators to the Maldives.
Medtech procured 18 ICU ventilators to the Maldives via a cargo flight of Sri Lankan Airlines, with assistance from the airline's local agent Inner Maldives Private Limited. Managing Director of Inner Maldives Mohamed Firaq said in addition to the ventilators, medical consumables were also procured on the flight. He acknowledged the assistance received by the support team of Sri Lankan Airlines worldwide in procuring the items during such difficult times.
Medtech had been contracted by the government to procure 50 ventilators under a single-source procurement policy. The company was contracted to procure the ventilators for a total cost of USD 903,460.
In addition to Medtech, the government also contracted Nard Private Limited to procure 20 ICU ventilators and 6 portable ventilators for the cost of USD 535,620.
Meanwhile, the government is also working on acquiring 75 ventilators from a supplier in the UAE with the help of the World Health Organisation (WHO). National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) revealed the ventilators procured from UAE would cost USD 2.2 million. In total, the government is purchasing 151 ventilators for the cost of USD 3.6 million.
Furthermore, the government stated international organisations have pledged to donate an additional 28 ventilators. This includes 3 ventilators from United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), 18 ventilators from World Bank, 4 ventilators from Asian Development Bank (ADB) and 3 ventilators from Islamic Development Bank (IDB).
There are currently 97 operational ventilators in the Maldives. NEOC stated the target is to bring in a total of 200 ventilators to treat COVID-19 patients in the Maldives.