National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) has stated the funds required to procure ventilators will be released to awarded companies once the situation of COVID-19 escalates to a higher emergency level.
In response to claims that corruption was involved in selecting and paying companies to procure ventilators, Spokesperson of NEOC Mohamed Mabrook Azeez said the awarded companies have not been paid for the procurement of ventilators, adding the payments will be released once the emergency level escalates to a higher level. Mabrook noted efforts are underway to bring in 135 ventilators, with one company selected to procure 50 ventilators and another company selected to procure 20 ventilators. However, he said neither of the companies has been issued any payments.
Furthermore, the spokesperson revealed a company has been selected to bring in 65 ICU stationary ventilators and 10 portable ventilators with the assistance of the World Health Organisation (WHO), adding the company has been issued a 75% advance payment. He said the items are being procured in accordance with the Finance Act.
Currently, there are 97 ventilators in the Maldives, across the capital and the atolls. 6 new ventilators have been brought to the Maldives amid the COVID-19 pandemic, costing USD 84,415.