The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has revealed that privately-run clinics will only be given authorization to conduct Covid-19 testing only if the testing capacity is overwhelmed.
Speaking to press on Monday night, the task force’s spokesperson, Mohamed Mabrook Aziz revealed that a number of clinics have been requesting for approval to conduct Covid-19 testing at their establishments in cooperation with the government.
However, the spokesperson noted that they will only be granted authorization to conduct Covid-19 testing in a situation the testing capacity at health facilities and authorities are overwhelmed.
In such a case, authorities will turn towards these clinics for cooperation, said the spokesperson.
The government will be using state healthcare facilities for Covid-19 testing.
So far ProCare Clinic in Mahibadhoo has requested to grant access to quantitative testing, for antibody testing. Medlab Malé has also requested to approve antibody testing and PCR testing. Aims in Addu, First Care in Malé, Mahaldheeb in Fuvahmulah and IMDC in Addu have sent requests to the health ministry to grant approval for various types of testing”Mohamed Mabrook Aziz, Covid-19 spokesperson
Mabrook revealed that these establishments have been sought to forward the details of their arrangements to the authorities.
Earlier, the Minister of Health, Abdulla Ameen had revealed that Maldives has a 1,100 testing capacity and currently, tests are being conducted at the laboratories in ADK Hospital, state-run Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and Maldives Police Service.
