Equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine by everyone, citizens and expatriates alike is a key policy of the Government
A medical team of Bangladesh Air Force arrived in Maldives today, to support the Government of Maldives in its efforts to contain the rapid spread of COVID-19 through the “Covid-19 Dhifaau” nation wide vaccination program, launched by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine by everyone, citizens and expatriates alike is a key policy of the Government.
The deployment of the medical team signifies Bangladesh’s strong commitment to providing continued assistance to the Government and the people of Maldives especially during these unprecedented times of a global pandemic, with the country experiencing shortage of medical professionals and personnel.
Under the purview of the Ministry of Health, the medical team consisting of ten nurses and seven medical assistants and an anesthesiologist, will be supporting the vaccination program in Male’, as well as at health centres and regional hospitals in outer atolls such as GDh. Thinadhoo, L. Gan, S. Addu and HDh. Kulhudhuffushi to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their nationality or status are provided maximum protection from the virus through vaccination and appropriate healthcare. The team is expected to stay in Maldives for two months.
Since President Solih’s administration began, the relations between Maldives and Bangladesh has been growing from strength to strength, with Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid making an official visit to Dhaka in February on the invitation of Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr. A.K Momen.
The Government of the Maldives expresses its immense gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, the Government and the Bangladesh Armed Forces for the generous assistance extended in addressing the trials presented by COVID-19, on multiple fronts.
The medical team was welcomed at Velana International Airport by Foreign Secretary H.E. Mohamed Abdul Ghafoor, State Minister of Health, Dr. Shah Mahir, High Commissioner of Bangladesh, H.E. Rear Admiral Nazmul Hassan, Lieutenant Colonel Hussain Fairoosh, and Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Bushree of Maldives National Defence Force.
ENDS