1. On 28 October, the medical equipment for COVID-19 response, procured by Japan in collaboration with UNOPS under Japan’s grant aid worth US$5.18 million, arrived at the National Health Laboratory.

2. The medical equipment handed over today by Mr. MARUYAMA Ichiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Myanmar, to Professor Zaw Than Tun, Director General of Medical Research of the Ministry of Health and Sports, is automated PCR testing machines and PCR laptop computers.

3. This assistance is part of the Government of Japan’s grant project (worth US$5.18 to support the efforts of the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by procuring critical medical equipment of high quality through UNOPS. Government of Japan has been handing over the medical equipment to the Government of Myanmar as soon as its arrival in Myanmar.

4. Through this assistance, the Government of Japan has already handed over testing kits, reagents such as RNA extraction kits, molecular biological grade ethanol, and power supply units and generators for ICU facilities to the National Health Laboratory (NHL) and national hospitals. The Government of Japan will continue to procure and hand over health and medical equipment to the Government of Myanmar under this grant aid, including ambulances, medical waste management disposal systems, centrifuges and autoclaves.

5. The Government of Japan remains determined to proactively provide assistance, not only for COVID-19 response measures, but in all areas for nation-building and for the people of Myanmar.