While most in the Maldives medical sector worked tirelessly and as true heroes to protect and care for those affected during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and beyond, there was unfortunately a group of sinister players (individuals, businesses and the government) at large with vested interests.
Taking advantage of the dire health situation they made enormous money and thus endangered public health as well as ignored the medical ethics.
As a consequence of their actions and greed several thousand people were put at risk.
A lab funded by Sonu Shivdasani and operated by ADK Hospital was accused of providing false negative results, suggesting individuals who were infected with Covid-19 were declared as negative and allowed to enter resorts and other tourist destinations.
This alleged negligence led to the spread of the virus within popular resorts like Anantara Kihavah and OBLU Sangeli, resulting in significant financial losses and potential health risks for guests.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) in the Maldives was accused of covering up issues related to the lab and failing to take appropriate action despite receiving multiple complaints. It was suggested that the HPA did not adequately address concerns about the accuracy of the lab’s testing procedures and potential health risks associated with false negative results.
Despite being initially presented as a generous donation, it was revealed that the lab was a business venture with, first and foremost, profit motives. Charging a high fee of USD$130 per test, the lab was estimated to make a substantial daily income of MVR 2-3 million due to the high tourist traffic. This raised questions about prioritising financial gain over ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the testing process.
Sonu Shivdasani, the individual behind the funding and establishment of the lab, was accused of using his political influence through financial support to ruling party members. This potential influence raised concerns about government agencies like the HPA being hindered from taking action against the lab, despite the allegations and complaints.
These accusations collectively raised significant concerns about the integrity and reliability of the PCR testing conducted at the lab, as well as the transparency and accountability of the entities involved. Indeed, the allegations against the HPA suggested that the agency may have been influenced or pressured to protect the interests of the PCR testing laboratory in the Maldives.
On March 7, 2020, it was confirmed that the global Covid-19 pandemic had spread to the Maldives. Just five days later a public health emergency was declared across the country.
Following this, the number of positive tests for the severed acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) increased daily, culminating in it having the world’s highest number of infections per million people in May 2021, according to Bloomberg.
In July 2020, a laboratory was opened in the Maldives’ Maafaru International Airport so that PCR tests (polymerase chain reaction tests, a fast and highly accurate way to diagnose certain infectious diseases including coronavirus) could be carried out on the general public to test for Covid-19.
In reality, however, the real incentive behind the lab was to make money. A lot of money. Instead of it being the philanthropic venture it purported to be and backed by a tycoon who had his fellowman’s best interests at heart, its operations and pricing were far more aligned with a ‘quick buck’ money-making business venture that took full and fast advantage of the confused and manic state caused by the unprecedented situation of the worldwide pandemic.
Located at the Maldives’ Maafaru International Airport, a location surrounded by many resorts, the lab thrived off the public health guidelines, which stated that visitors must be tested for COVID-19 prior to departing the country.
Charged at USD$130 per test, basic math shows the vast profits that the lab was making. In fact it has been reported that in just one week the lab made enough money to pay Shivdasani back the full amount of his speculated USD$75,000 donation.
British hotelier’s Covid-19 lab in Maldives under scrutiny over charges of malpractices
