Coordination meeting: MoH held coordination meeting related ministries

The Ministry of Health on 26 July held a coordination meeting with the related ministries on the COVID-19 and Monkeypox which have been declared global health emergencies by World Health Organization at the ministry, Nay Pyi Taw with the attendance of the Union Minister for Health Professor Dr. Thet Khaing Win.

In his opening remark, the Union Minister Professor Dr. Thet Khaing Win said that this meeting is held for the arrangements of prevention, control and response to the COVID-19 and Monkeypox and works needed to collaborate with the related ministries.

Although Myanmar is currently in the position of controllable COVID-19 wave, the infection of COVID-19 variant BA.4 and BA.5 appear to be rising in the global, regional and neighboring countries. 

As the COVID-19 variant BA.4 and BA.5 appear to be less severe and low death rate and the rate of infection is high, the preventive measures and genomic sequencing processes should be continue maintaining the momentum.

Due to higher the COVID-19 vaccination coverage, the COVID-19 wave did not step up to the severe level. As the Monkeypox is spreading to the Non-endemic countries, the WHO declared it as the Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 23rd July, 2022.

According to the WHO Risk Assessment, Myanmar, as the infection has not been detected, is including in a group (1). The preparation measures are being carried out not to spread from other countries.

Afterwards, the coordination meeting was continued and the implementation of preventive measures for COVID-19  was clarified by the director from the Central Epidemiology Unit of the Department of Public Health Dr. Toe Thiri Aung, the preparations for Monkeypox by the director from the Central Epidemiology Unit of the Department of Public Health Dr. Nyan Win Myint and the officials concerned from the Directorate of Medical Services, Tatmataw (Army, Navy and Air) IT department and the ministries discussed the preparations and works to be collaborated and the deputy minister Professor Dr.  Aye Tun supplemented necessaries.

After giving a speech conclusion by the Union Minister Dr. Thet Khaing Win, the work coordination meeting was brought to the end.