Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen has affirmed the Maldives will work with the international community in the fight against COVID-19 and overcome the pandemic.
Speaking at the virtual meeting held between the health ministers of the Commonwealth, Minister Ameen explained the current situation of the Maldives the and highlighted the challenges the country is facing in efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country. The health minister also stressed on the importance of close collaboration between the countries in attaining a solution. Relating with the theme for the virtual meetings, Delivering a Coordinated Commonwealth COVID-19 Response, the minister expressed the readiness of Maldives in working with its international partners.
The health ministers shared current situations and efforts to contain the spread in their nations in addition to measures to protect the most vulnerable. They also discussed the importance of adopting a multi-sectoral approach and measures to facilities medical equipment and supplies needed for the member countries.
Of the total 57 Commonwealth nations, 27 members participated in the first virtual meeting of the health ministers. This is also the first meeting that took place after the Maldives rejoined Commonwealth.
During the meeting, Secretary General of Commonwealth Patricia Scotland thanked frontline workers and called all nations to work together to overcome the pandemic. Several participants, including the Director General of World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also called on the countries to heed more importance to primary health care.
The annual health ministers' meeting is generally held in Geneva before the World Health Assembly.