To support the Maldives’ fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) donated 46 laptops and 5000 RT-PCR test kits to the country, Sun news reported. 

The donation which amounts to $122,733 was received by the Maldives’ Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC). The aid will significantly increase the operational capability of the centre which has been operating under tremendous pressure given the lack of human resources and computers. 

In a statement on Monday, UNICEF said, HEOC is the heart of Maldives’ COVID response and the group has been operating under challenging conditions. 

UNICEF also assured the health ministry of further help in funding to support additional human resources along with two shipments of medical instruments for ICUs. 

Till now, UNICEF has provided around $1.7 million help in various forms to support the nation’s effort to fight the pandemic.