All the people should participate in COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities as the treatment sector is a public affair, and so not only the health workers but also the outside experts should cooperate in undertaking preventive measures. The health workers are the closest and take the most practical duties and so it needs to provide necessary encouragement and care for them, said State Administration Council Chairman Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during the 3rd coordination meeting on COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment yesterday.
In his opening speech, the Senior General talked about the rapid infection cases, a total of 224,236 confirmed cases of the country until 17 July, differences in relation with the first, second and third COVID-19 waves.
He then said more than 1.6 million people received their first vaccination and arrangements are being made for second jabs. 750,000 vaccines from China will be arrived in the country on 22, 23 and 24 July and in the first week of August. Therefore, it is estimated that 50 per cent of the population will be vaccinated this year. Currently, private companies are also allowed to import medicines and medical supplies without any restrictions.
The Senior General highlighted the anxieties of the people upon rumours related to oxygen like some save the oxygen while some resell, the use of oxygen with the suggestion of hospitals and health officials, oxygen production rate from the oxygen plants established at public hospitals, military hospitals and factories, importation of liquid oxygen and oxygen cylinders from Thailand and China via border trade camps and challenges of the country amid the third wave of COVID-19 in addition to the neighbouring countries.
He also added that according to the researches and mobility pattern, the numbers of mass gatherings decline and the public participation becomes high, and appreciated the manners of the people for following the stipulated rules and regulations.
He continued that if the individuals follow the basic rules and participate in disease control operations, it can control the infection rate. The officials should strictly monitor the operations. Although the infection rate is on the rise, the air, rail and road transports are opened as usual to facilitate the trade flow.
He continued that if the individuals follow the basic rules and participate in disease control operations, it can control the infection rate. The officials should strictly monitor the operations. Although the infection rate is on the rise, the air, rail and road transports are opened as usual to facilitate the trade flow.
Therefore, it should draft a plan to prioritize the staff of the transport sector in vaccination programmes.
The Senior General also said the coming three significant days such as Martyrs’ Day, the full moon of Waso and Eid al-Adha Day will be held as per the health rules.
Then, regarding the public participation in COVID-19 prevention and control activities, the Senior General said, “We should carry out the COVID-19 preventive measures without any impacts. Public participation plays a key role. Nothing can stop the disease as we cannot see or hear or smell it. During this situation, all should cooperate with us. In the medical treatment sector, there are government employees in addition to outside experts. All should cooperate with us as it is a public issue. Therefore, we need to guarantee their health issues. They should not be sick. They need more care. Their healthcare intends to the majority of the people such as one offers treatment to many patients. It does not mean many people carry out for only one. Just one person does for many. Therefore, they are more important. They should be the first priority. The relevant administrative officials should carry out this case. On the other hand, the civil servants and outside experts also cooperate with us anyway as it is the issue of the country. Moreover, the volunteers are also welcomed and some volunteers report. However, some do not dare to volunteer due to the threats. Some cannot do as they are away from here. I have already been told that I welcome such volunteering and that shows we need cooperation. Then, the people donate the needed equipment. According to the report I received on Saturday, the numbers of donated supplies are rising in respective states and regions. I also said earlier we, Myanmar people have a proper social spirit. It is such a wonderful case that the well-wishers donated across the nation despite their hardships. I also thank the donors for their donations. I want the organizations and associations to cooperate with us as much as they can.”
Then, the Vice-Chairman of State Administration Council Vice-Senior General (Army), SAC members, Union Ministers and military officials discussed the COVID-19 preventive measures, establishment of oxygen plants and arrival of oxygen cylinders in regions, states and commands, medical sales, health rules in the transport sector, health education programmes and awareness campaigns, 315 confirmed cases at the prison to date with 5 deaths (with underlying diseases), 120 recoveries and 190 still under treatment, systematic healthcare system at the prisons and cells, arrangements to hold significant ceremonies in line with the health rules and other matters related to the oxygen production, importation of oxygen and healthcare system for health workers.
“We have prepared the quarantine centres. We arrange centres at 1,934 places for about 69,800 patients. Currently, there is only 25 per cent of patients at the quarantine centres. Similarly, there are 1,114 places where can accommodate nearly 46,000 positive patients. There is only 62 per cent of patients at that place now. A total of 560 centres can accommodate about 25,500 people, 92.2 per cent.
Regarding this discussion, the Senior General said the transportation sector is the key for health and economic sectors. It cannot be suspended and so it should follow the rules strictly. The officials should operate RBE train services.
He also stressed the need to serve duties not to occur power outages as the electricity is important in COVID-19 control activities, conduct education programmes with ethnic languages for the public via TV channels, radio and publishing industry and express clear health-related articles.
He then said to use loudspeakers in mobile awareness campaigns. Arrangements should be made for all people to get their vaccines. The Tatmadaw’s flights and jets can be used to provide oxygen to remote areas.
In his closing remarks, the Senor General talked about the measures to ease the worry of people, systematic arrangements to control the travels during long public holidays, plans to provide healthcare services and Soon (meals) for monks and nuns during Waso.
He also added that the officials should resolve the difficulties in transporting the agricultural and farming products due to some travel restrictions in the COVID-19 period. They also need to make plans for the farmers to get fair production costs and profits. Currently, the prices of chicken eggs are high due to the rumours. Tatmadaw has been making efforts in poultry farms since six or seven years ago. Therefore, there is no need for people to worry about it.
The Senior General also said, “We have prepared the quarantine centres. We arrange centres at 1,934 places for about 69,800 patients. Currently, there is only 25 per cent of patients at the quarantine centres. Similarly, there are 1,114 places where can accommodate nearly 46,000 positive patients. There is only 62 per cent of patients at that place now. A total of 560 centres can accommodate about 25,500 people, 92.2 per cent. Some of the patients at the treatment centres must be transferred to the places for positive cases, if necessary. Such doing is not carried out during this situation. However, we should make preparations like management for a shift. It is important to provide food and accommodation for the patients. Tatmadaw provides such assistance to the patients at three military hospitals. Similarly, we provide at the public hospitals. We communicate with the donors. The patients need nutrition as they should have good resistance to COVID-19. Some patients can eat the food but some cannot. We need to keep our eyes on that case regardless of who that the person may be.
I also said earlier we, Myanmar people have a proper social spirit. It is such a wonderful case that the well-wishers donated across the nation despite their hardships. I also thank the donors for their donations. I want the organizations and associations to cooperate with us as much as they can.”
We must not neglect the poor patients. We should make sure that we can give all that we deserve as human beings.»
He urged all to cooperate with the ministry concerned and regional commands if necessary and appreciate the public participation in COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities. — MNA
