Maldives can now test COVID-19 samples in its laboratories and no longer needs to ship them out of the country. The testing capacity built with WHO support is critical for rapidly detecting and rolling out timely response to COVID-19 cases.
Currently nearly 700 samples can be tested every day, and the capacity is being scaled up further and expanded beyond Male to atolls.Photo credit: WHO Maldives / Ibrahim Assad (Asad Photo) Even before the Maldives got its first case of COVID-19, WHO worked closely with the Ministry of Health to strategically prioritize strengthening and expanding the laboratory capacities and optimizing laboratory functions and services. "WHO continues to be a prominent partner in supporting development of the health