Coordination Meeting for Covid-19 Disease Prevention, Control held

A coordination meeting for Covid-19 disease prevention and control was held yesterday morning at Conference Hall of Ministry of Health and Sports Office No (4).
At the meeting, Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Thet Khaing Win said that currently the number of Covid-19 cases are increasing daily and the incidence rate and the percentage of cases are high due to the genetic mutations of the virus.
Officials from the Ministry of Health and Sports are not only taking laboratory samples from suspected and confirmed patients but also constantly monitoring the situation of Covid-19 disease and monitoring the people’s contacts in every region and state, the Union Minister added.
The townships participating in the home-stay programme are being expanded in time and disease control regulations to be strictly followed are issued in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, administration bodies and relevant states and regions, the Union Minister continued. “Immunizations are also being provided in a timely manner, bringing the total number of vaccinated people to 1.75 million. About 2 more million vaccines will arrive soon and more will be available later this year. Private health care organizations have also been allowed to import and sell their own vaccines with the approval of the Food and Drug Administration.
“The Ministry distributed 12 million surgical masks in June and is planning to distribute 5 more million in order to raise awareness of preventive measures among the people. Free distribution of these surgical masks is being carried out at places such as bus stops, and crowded markets in townships, wards and villages,” said Union Minister Dr Thet Khaing Win.
“It is very important to strictly follow the rules and regulations issued as the number of infections increases. Those who are not tested for the virus can be accommodated in the Facility Quarantine Centers. Home quarantine is being allowed for those who meet the criteria if there is a problem of space,” the Union Minister added.
“Depending on the patient’s medical condition and the need for medical care, the confirmed patients will be placed first in the treatment centres and transferred to central hospitals if necessary. Covid-19 disease treatment centres are also being expanded and special treatment for the confirmed patients and suspected patients (PUI) is being provided in most township public hospitals. Eliminating oxygen shortage, which is very important in the medical field, is being made a special priority. Acquired drugs and medical supplies plus sufficient human resources are also being systematically managed. Only effective action can avoid overcrowding in hospitals and treatment centres and reduce deaths from disease,” Union Minister added.
Next, Deputy Minister for Health and Sports Dr Aye Tun, said that the Bed Management Committee was being formed to accommodate the growing number of patients on a daily basis.
After that, the Director of the Medical Services, Maj-Gen Ko Ko Lwin, discussed the current situation of the Tatmadaw Medical Corps being involved in the prevention and control of the Covid-19 disease and future activities. Director-General U Sein Win from the office of the Ministry of Health and Sports, Director-General Dr Myat Wunna Soe from the Department of Public Health and Medical Services, officials from the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Directorate of Military Medical Services also attended the meeting. — MNA