The rapid emergence and spread of COVID-19 across the world has created massive global disruptions that are impacting people’s lives and well-being. As of today, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Myanmar totaled 181 with more than 3,900 suspected cases.
The Global Fund through its Principal Recipient Programme of the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC), UNOPS is working closely with the Ministry of Health and Sports and its Sub-Recipients (SRs) to support the mitigation and response efforts since in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
While tackling the pandemic, UNOPS is making sure that the control efforts for other killer diseases, such as HIV, TB and malaria, are not neglected and to continue the provision of life-saving services for these diseases. In the case of malaria, UNOPS remains committed to supporting the prevention of the disease, while maintaining safe working environments for healthcare workers so that the interventions are ensured not to be interrupted.
Dr. Zaw Win Tun, UNOPS-PR Malaria Public Health Officer said, "Myanmar is now on track with its malaria elimination goal. So, we have to make sure that Covid-19 pandemic does not hinder the goal of ‘Malaria free Myanmar 2030’. We will try to protect our frontline health workers from coronavirus infection while keeping forward to our goal.”
Through its Sub-Recipients, UNOPS is conducting the following key actions such as keeping buffer stocks for key commodities, safety measures for malaria workers, and prevention of the spread of malaria in facility quarantine centres.
The Integrated Community Malaria Volunteers (ICMVs) and basic health staff are the frontline workers at the community level who are responsible for early diagnosis and effective treatments. The key commodities such as malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDTs), Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs), Chloroquine and Primaquine are stocked up for the ICMVs with three to six months’ buffer and field offices with two to three months’ buffer. This will enable the ICMVs and basic health staff to have enough stocks in hand during the time when there are travel limitations due to COVID-19. In addition, the Central Store managed by the National Malaria Control Programme is stocked up with the national pool of stocks enough for one year.
Surgical masks, gloves and hand sanitizers amounting to $238,950 are procured and distributed for the safety of healthcare workers. ICMVs are instructed to wear masks and gloves while conducting RDT tests; to keep physical distancing while travelling to malaria endemic areas; and to refer all the patients with COVID-19 related symptoms or those who have travel history to areas where there is a local transmission of Covid-19 to nearest health centres.
Daw Nan Lin Lin Myint, a malaria volunteer from Kyarinseikgyi Tsp, Kayin State said, “I am keeping myself safe by wearing masks and gloves while conducting RDT tests on patients. I am very thankful that I was supported with these things. The situations are critical these days and sometimes I am very scared but I will do my best to serve the people in my village while keeping myself safe.”
Based on the request from National Malaria Control Programme of the Ministry of Health and Sports, UNOPS has supported the distribution of 100,000 Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) and 1.5 million gloves to the facility quarantine centres and hospital sites to prevent the spread of malaria from the returned migrants and ensure the safety of people.
From 2011 to 2019, the malaria grants have made possible: 1.7 million people treated for malaria; 15.2 million malaria tests performed (RDT and Slides); and 14.3 million Long Lasting Insecticide-treated nets to at risk population. UNOPS continues to deliver the results during the critical time of COVID-19 while maintaining safe working environments for healthcare workers.
