UNION Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe attended the ceremony to donate cash, medical equipment and medicines to Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-COVID) and the Ministry of Health and Sports yesterday in Yangon.
U Nyan Win, secretary of the central executive committee of the National League for Democracy (NLD), on behalf of the donors explained the purpose of the donation. Director Maung Myo Min (Yindwinphyit) of Skynet (Shwe Thanlwin media) and President of Myanmar Chamber of Commerce for Pharmaceutical and Medical Device (MCCPMD) U Zaw Moe Khaing also gave speeches. Chief Minister of Yangon Region U Phyo Min Thein spoke words of thanks.
In his address, the Union Minister said Out of 194 WHO-member countries, 177 are seeing COVID-19 outbreak, and only 17 including Myanmar are free from confirmed cases. Eighty per cent of COVID-19 patients show normal symptoms and 15 per cent show severe signs. Only five per cent of the patients die of the infection.
Although there is no confirmed case in Myanmar, the country has placed serious attention in taking preventive and control measures as if the infection is found in it. Powers have already been granted to all regions and states to take action in real time. The entire country needs a quick response, as any delay may cause a lot of sufferings. Infection can caused through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes or by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. The safest way is to carefully wash the hands with water and soap for at least 20 seconds. The Ministry of Health and Sports have been disseminating every single piece of knowledge about the virus in real-time on its Internet pages and Facebook. People should read and share the information as false news can be wiped out with the authentic information, he said.
As stated by the Stated Counsellor “People are the Key”, people should have the awareness to save themselves from infection, as it is the most effective way. The donated medicines and medical equipment including ventilators and patient monitors are much supportive in saving lives. The equipment can be also used as teaching aids for doctors and nurses. So, they will be the excellent tools to control the virus and save lives, he noted.
Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe, Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, U Nyan Win, NLD CEC member U Thein Oo, Speaker of Yangon Region Hluttaw U Tin Maung Tun, Deputy Minister for Health and Sports Dr Mya Lay Sein, Deputy Speaker of Region Hluttaw U Lin Naing Myint, Region Social Affairs Minister U Naing Ngan Lin and Mayor U Maung Maung Soe accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to them.
Forty-three donors presented Ks 425.6 million to the Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of 2019 Novel Coronavirus; and USD 10,000, over Ks 565 million, Singapore $ 100,000, two sets of Ultra-red body temperature measuring equipment valued at USD 10,000, 13 sets of ventilators, two units of high frequency x-rays, three units of patient monitors, hazmat suits, and other equipment to the Ministry of Health and Sports; and Ks 1.5 million, over Ks 65 million worth of equipment and food, safety surgical kits, ten units of air coolers, and internet and CCTVS worth Ks 6.7 million and USD 4400.
The value of the collective donations in cash and kind for the ministry and Public Health Department of Yangon Region is over Ks 1080 million, USD 24,400 and Singapore $ 100,000.
In the afternoon, Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe went to South Okkalapa Women and Children’s Hospital, and visited the new three-storey ward where people coming back from countries where COVID-19 is occurring and who had been in close contact with the confirmed patients are quarantined.
During the visit, the Union Minister made arrangements for managing the quarantine, overtime payments for medical staff, providing an adequate number of personal protective equipment (PPE), and fulfilled the requirements. The ward in the compound of the hospital can accommodate 100 patients.
MNA
(Translated by TMT)
PHOTO: MNA
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar