Minister Ameen comes under fire; allegations of delaying Covid-19 screening

Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef has directed accusations at the Health Minister Abdulla Ameen, that he worked to delay the screening process using thermal cameras established at the Velana International Airport as a precautionary measure against the Covid-19 disease.

The MP directed a barrage of criticism at the health minister while speaking on an emergency motion submitted by the Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir in today’s parliamentary session.

MP Afeef said that he would not refrain from speaking about the health minister even if he is part of the administration and called for the allegations to be reviewed.

“The minister proudly proclaimed that thermal cameras are established in airports. But, he had worked to delay the cameras in the beginning,” said Afeef.

MP Afeef said that he had proof for these allegations and that he was speaking with good knowledge on the matter. He described the minister as someone who harasses the government from within and even called on the president and the citizens to remain wary of the minister.

Criticism has been directed at the government for failing to identify a departure from the country who was infected with the virus. The person was only identified after arriving back in their country, while there are seven thermal cameras installed in the Velana International Airport, most frequently used for international travel in the country.

MP Jabir who was behind the emergency motion in today’s session also pointed this out and claimed that the health authorities had been negligent.

However, it should be noted that an infected person can remain unidentified due to the fact that symptoms of the disease only start to appear after two to 14 days.

Governing party MPs have been directing criticism at the health minister almost every day.

The Maldives has identified a total of four cases of the virus. They are two employees of the Kuredu Island Resort and two tourists in Sandies Bathala Resort. The two resorts have been placed in lockdown following the positive cases and authorities are currently carrying out contact tracing of the infected.