Medtech Maldives, on Thursday, confirmed the import of 14 additional ventilators to support the country's COVID-19 response efforts.

The company noted that the latest shipment marked the delivery of a total of 50 ventilators as per the MVR 14.4 million contract with the Ministry of Health.

The first batch, consisting of 18 ventilators, arrived in Maldives on May 10 while the second shipment of 20 ventilators was received on July 02. Two ventilators from the second shipment were handed over to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The ventilators are produced by GE Healthcare of the United States and Imtmedical of Switzerland, two leading manufacturers of medical technology approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the US.

As part of the ongoing COVID-19 response, the state has signed agreements with three different companies to acquire a total of 149 ventilators, including 24 ventilators from Naadu Pvt Ltd and 50 ventilators from MedTech Maldives Pvt Ltd, in addition to the 75 ventilators from Executors General Trading LLC.

At present, the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) asserted that Maldives has 124 ventilators that can be utilised.

https://edition.mv/news/18500