The Ministry of Commerce is working hard to ensure people have access to essential medical supplies which are critical to the COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities, including liquid oxygen and oxygen cylinders, arranging the continuous importation on public holidays.
Yesterday, a total of 1,332 oxygen concentrators were imported in addition to 12 tonnes of masks, 3,360 oxygen storage containers, six oxygen plants, 150 oxygen concentrators, four tonnes of masks via airways at the Yangon International Airport. In addition, 68 tonnes of liquid oxygen, 9,281 oxygen storage containers, six oxygen plants, 2,698 home oxygen concentrators, 24,475 PPE suits and 87 tonnes of mask were imported through border trade points and international sea ports.
A total of 1,233 tonnes of liquid oxygen, 72 tonnes of oxygen cylinders, 12 liquid oxygen storage containers, six oxygen distributors, 121,200 tonnes of oxygen storage containers, 32 oxygen plants, two oxygen refills, 11 oxygen generators, 80,337 home oxygen concentrators, 151,048 test kits, 546,665 PPE suits, 83 tonnes of gloves and 1,278 tonnes of masks have been imported by far in August.
Of 89 vehicles carrying liquid oxygen imported between 1 July and 18 August, 67 of them were distributed to Yangon, 15 to Mandalay, two to Bago, four to Mawlamyine and one to Thaton, respectively. Among 40 oxygen plants, 11 were transported to Yangon, five to Lashio, four to Bago, two to Pakokku, four to Mandalay, two to Hpa-an, two to Mawlamyine, three to Kyaukpadaung, two to Hpa-an, one each to Taunggyi, Thanbyuzayat, Magway, Dawei, Wakema, Myittha and Mogaung respectively.
It is reported that the Ministry of Commerce is allowing the importation of COVID-19 devices in accordance with the SOP priority negotiated by relevant departments, and announcements related to the imports of medical supplies and equipment are posted on commerce.gov.mm.—MNA
