April 25, 2020

Medical supplies and equipment donated by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China to the Myanmar Tatmadaw for the containment and treatment of COVID-19 and medical personnel from the PLA arrived at Yangon International Airport at 10:30 am yesterday.

The special flight was welcomed by the commander of Yangon Command, Maj-Gen Thet Pone, Tatmadaw medical officials, Chinese Ambassador Mr Chen Hai and embassy officials.

Next, the Chinese Ambassador handed over the donation from China that included 10,000 COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Test Kits (PCR), 20,000 Type-KN 95 medical surgical masks, 500,000 medical surgical masks, 200 medical goggles, 10,000 medical gloves, 10,000 surgical caps, 20,000 medical shoe covers, 200 infrared forehead thermometers, and 2,000 wash-free hand gel sanitizers to Maj-Gen Thet Pone and officials.

Speaking of the donation, Mr Chen Hai said the Myanmar Tatmadaw provided medical supplies to China when COVID-19 first began spreading. He said as COVID-19 cases are appearing in Myanmar, China is also sending medical teams and supplies to Myanmar. He said China will continue donating in the same regard.

Maj-Gen Thet Pone also said they will quickly distribute the supplies to all areas of Myanmar in need and will cooperate with the Chinese military medical team to discover, protect and treat COVID-19 in Tatmadaw hospitals in Yangon.

The medical team from China includes six medical professionals, led by Dr Bai Chong, will work together with Tatmadaw medical professionals in the Tatmadaw hospital in Mingaladon Township, Yangon, for two weeks.

China had sent a medical team consisting of 12 members from Yunnan Province on 8 April together with medical supplies, donated 15 ventilators to the Ministry of Health and Sports on 22 April and 5 ventilators to the Tatmadaw medical troop.

Another batch of 15 ventilators are on the way along with continued support from China to Myanmar regarding COVID-19, according to the Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar. —Zaw Gyi (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)