President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated there has been no failure in managing the COVID-19 situation, adding the Maldives will be recruiting more health workers from abroad. The president made the statement in a virtual press briefing on the most recent updates and measures enforced to curb the sudden surge in COVID-19 cases in the Maldives.
Speaking at the virtual briefing, President Solih said the Maldives is in need of more health workers to deal with the increasing number of COVID-19 patients. Recruiting health workers from abroad has been a challenge since other countries in the region are also dealing with increases in COVID-19 cases, stated the president. However, he said 40 doctors and 100 nurses from India and Bangladesh will soon be joining the Maldives health workforce.
Furthermore, President Solih said there have been no difficulties at health facilities and treatment centres and that the Maldives has more than enough ventilators, oxygen cylinders, and other health resources in stock.
Highlighting the ongoing work to increase capacity at the health facilities, President Solih said the Greater Male' Region currently has the necessary amount of beds, ICUs, and ventilators to deal with the increase in patients. He also said, while each nurse or volunteer at the Hulhumale' Medical Facility is currently in charge of 10 patients, these problems will be solved with the recruitment of more health workers.
Also speaking at the virtual press briefing, Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem said the government is currently interviewing doctors and nurses from abroad and will be bringing them to the Maldives in June.