Rector at University of Medicine 1 Dr U Zaw Wai Soe said that plans are in the pipelines to set up COVID-19 treatment centres that will be manned by doctors participating in the movement against the military’s forced transfer of power.

"We will be implementing plans for COVID-19 centres and the doctors participating in the CDM will be taking care of the patients. The COVID-19 centres will be established with volunteer medical workers and they will treat patients who tested positive for the virus at private hospitals. Plans are already underway.’’ he said.

At present, government hospitals are only accepting emergency cases. Some hospitals are refusing new patients as a majority of their staff are currently participating in the CDM.

Dr U Zaw Wai Soe - also a participant of the movement -  said the setting up of the treatment centres was necessary for Yangon to continue its fight against the virus.

Myanmar on February 8 has a total of 141,427 COVID-19 cases, 3177 deaths and 127,975 people have been discharged from hospitals. New cases have been dwindling in the past several days with new cases hovering below 10.

According to the state-owned media there are only four new COVID-19 patients among 1987 samples tested with two deaths on Monday night.

Medical workers from Mandalay participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement on February 3. From then on, many government staff also joined the movement to support the NLD government and fight against the military takeover. Many hospitals including those in Yangon, Mandalay, Pathein, Muse, Sagaing are not receiving new patients anymore.

On February 9 the state media printed a request letter to health workers. According to the letter issued by the health and sports ministry, which is currently under the military government, said they appreciate the strenuous efforts of the medical workers. 

But as the vaccination programme of COVID-19 is being conducted for the public and the real-time healthcare services are required for the people. All staff members at the respective departments under the Ministry of Health and Sports are strongly urged to return to their duties with taking the well-being of patients into consideration. 

The MOHS also plans to continue the country’s vaccination programme despite the ongoing political unrest.

“Vaccination will be carried out in 34 townships of Yangon Region. Over 380,000 senior citizens (over the age of 65) will be injected with the vaccine,” said Deputy Director-General of Yangon Public Health and Medical Service Dr Tun Myint in a recent report. 

The programme kicked off on February 5 with the vaccination of approximately 300 elders aged 65 and above at the Pabedan, Dagon, and Botataung townships. 

A total of 103,142 health workers and volunteers were vaccinated from January 27 to February 2.