With the support from the Global Fund, the National TB Programme (NTP) has deployed one 2-module and two 16-module GeneXpert machines to Sittwe General Hospital to increase COVID-19 testing capacity in late August. Starting from 26 August 2020, Kyauk Phyu General Hospital is also doing testing with a 4-module GeneXpert machine, supported by the Global Fund. Further, the Global Fund-supported GeneXpert machines in Maungdaw, Mrauk-U and Thandwe townships have been upgraded to do COVID-19 testing and are now ready for use, with the plan to run tests for TB and COVID-19 on alternate days.

GeneXpert is a molecular test that can rapidly diagnose TB and detect resistance to one of the first-line anti-TB drugs. The existing GeneXpert machines can also use the Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2 cartridge for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

With the funding from the Global Fund, UNOPS as Principal Recipient has committed to supplying 19,340 Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test kits as part of its support to Myanmar’s response to the pandemic. So far, 10,370 test kits have been delivered to 27 laboratories across the country. From these, some are being deployed to Sittwe General Hospital and Kyauk Phyu General Hospital to meet the increasing demand for testing, and 2,700 test kits are now being fast-tracked for delivery by early September, as requested by the MOHS to increase testing capacity. It has been confirmed that the additional 2,740 SARS- Cov-2, test will be delivered in Yangon on Monday 7 September 2020.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar, the Global Fund, through UNOPS as Principal Recipient, is working closely with the MOHS and its Sub-recipients to support the mitigation and response efforts.