21 July

UNION MINISTER for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe visited the COVID-19 treatment centre (Phaunggyi) at the Central Institute of Civil Service (Lower Myanmar) in Hlegu Township, Yangon, yesterday. 

At the meeting with officials, the Union Minister expressed thanks to the officials of Yangon Region Government, the Central Institute of Civil Service (Lower Myanmar), the Ministry of Construction, the relevant ministries, civil society organizations and private hospitals for their coordination in fighting against COVID-19 by providing assistance in treatments, medicines and medical equipment, causing encouragement to the health workers in facing against this disease.

The Union Minister also remarked that Myanmar has controlled the pandemic to a certain extent under the leadership of State Counsellor in cooperation with relevant ministries, respective organizations and people. 

Myanmar has also no patient at intensive care units until now, and the high skills of medical workers can also be realized, however, the country needs to monitor adhering to rules and disciplines at the border crossings and quarantined centres in prevention of second wave of this pandemic. 

The Union Minister added that the record books in treatment of COVID-19 would be very helpful for prevention of similar pandemic, and the recent experiences will be useful in preparing for the natural disasters. 

Rector of Central Institute of Civil Service (Lower Myanmar) U Kyaw Win Han explained that the facility was operated with 180 healthcare providers and 200 persons for related assistance in early stage, and the number of persons have been reduced to 100 and 180 respective. 

Dr Ko Ko Naing who worked as medical the superintendent of COVID-19 treatment centre (Phaunggyi) briefed on the expansion of facilities for patients, installations of oxygen pipelines, ICUs, equipment, CCTV, internet network, storage of medical supplies, laboratory, CT scanning, security affairs and transports for patients. 

The centre provided medical treatments to 149 patients, and 132 persons have been discharged from it, while 17 persons are still receiving medical treatments.

Professor Dr Zaw Wai Soe, the Vice Chairman (2) of Management Committee at the centre, presented the management and medical treatment sectors. 

Professor Dr Zaw Lin Aung from University of Medicine (1) talked about preparations for 500 patients at the centre which can be expanded to accommodate 2,000 persons. 

The Union Minister, together with Permanent Secretary Professor Dr Thet Khaing Win, inspected the ICUs at the centre.

MNA (Translated by Aung Khin)