THE Japanese government and its people donated 9.3 million Yen worth of medicines and medical supplies to help Myanmar in the fight against COVID-19, and the plane carrying medical supplies landed at Yangon International Airport yesterday morning.
Japanese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Maruyama Ichiro handed over the medical equipment to Professor Dr Zaw Than Tun, Director-General of Department of Medical Research and Dr Kyaw Khaing, Deputy Director-General and Head of International Relations Division under the Ministry of Health and Sports.
The Japanese Ambassador said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has been occurring all over the world. We can see Myanmar can control the outbreak well. The Japanese government appreciates the moves of Myanmar. But, there are some confirmed cases in Myanmar, and so we provide the medical supplies.
The medicines that we donated today are produced in Japan, and we will keep providing such medical supplies.” This donation is the first batch out of the 2 billion Yen assistance for medical equipment and facilities to help Myanmar’s response to the pandemic as part of the economic and social development programme of Japan in Myanmar.
“They donate medical equipment, including quality beds and suction machines which are used at ICU (Intensive Care Unit). Although our country controls the disease to a certain extent, we need to have such medical supplies to prevent the second wave of COVID-19 by looking at our neighbouring countries. So, we thank the Japanese government and its people for their donations,” said Director-General Professor Dr Zaw Than Tun.
The Japanese government cooperated with the Ministry of Health and Sports for malaria research and anti-malaria programmes before the outbreak of COVID-19 and also provided in upgrading testing laboratories during COVID-19 pandemic.
Moreover, JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) keeps providing the medicines and medical supplies in response to COVID-19, according to Deputy Director-General Dr Kyaw Khaing.
Zaw Gyi
(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)
Photo: Zaw Gyi
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