Surpassing 50,000 positive cases of COVID-19 in Myanmar, Ministry of Health and Sports (MoHS) is proactively responding to these challenges for early diagnosis and care for patients. There is no doubt that the continuation of testing requires supplying test kits.

As a part of an emergency response to the resurgence of COVID-19 in Myanmar, JICA provided the 2nd batch of viral nucleic acid extraction kits necessary for real-time PCR test under total value amount to 836 million Kyats for NHL, Yangon and delivered on 6 November 2020. The 1st batch was delivered at the end of October 2020.

“The more confirmed cases of COVID-19 are found, the more testing kits and consumables are required. We believe this support would contribute to combatting the disease,” Mr Iwai Nobuo, Senior Representative, JICA Myanmar Office, says. In close consultation with MoHS, JICA has been supporting not only in the field of detection of the coronavirus but also in the area of infection prevention and control, through Dr Shinsuke Miyano, JICA Expert for Infectious Disease Control and Laboratory Services.

With the technical assistance of Dr Miyano, JICA and NHL are working hand in hand for testing and data management for the implementation of PCR test and medical equipment such as test kits and reagents as well as personal protective equipment to NHL.

Japan/JICA, as a long-standing partner of Myanmar, will continuously support Myanmar in fighting against COVID-19.—GNLM