Ministry of Health and Sports has received a modern Whole Genome Sequencing machine which can determine complete genome sequence for a given organism at one time.

The US$25,000 worth of Illumine iSeq100 machine was donated by the University of Otago, New Zealand Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and the Capital Diamond Star Foundation.

Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe expressed thanks at the donation ceremony held at the Melia Hotel in Yangon on 16 November afternoon. He also explained effectiveness of the machine in determining the order of all nucleotides in a certain genome and detecting any variations relative to a reference genome using bioinformatics analyses. The Union Minister also requested the New Zealand to do more multi centric collaborative research works with Myanmar universities and research departments. After the extended greetings by the New Zealand Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Steve Marshall, Dr Htin Lin Aung from the University of Otago explained the donation of medical equipment and handed over the related documents to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry Professor Dr Thet Khaing Win.

Then, Dr Cho Cho San, the Manager of National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) under the Department of Public Health, expressed thanks for the donation.

The Union Minister also discussed safety measures on hygiene of market foods with the officials of Yangon City Development Committee at his office in Bahan Township, Yangon.— MNA
(Translated by Aung Khin)