Locals from Lashio showed their support to Yangon by dispatching 20 nurses in the evening of October 1, sources said.

The nurses from northern Shan State that were sent to Yangon are five nurses from Lashio hospital, one from Mongyin stationed hospital from Namtu, one from Namtu hospital, three each from Hsipaw and Muse hospitals, two each from Nantkhan and Laukkai hospitals, one each from Sarlu stationed hospital from Nantkhan, Ayeyatharyar RHC from Kyaukme and Monglon RHC.

“We will provide help to healthcare workers in Yangon to cure COVID-19 patients. Assistant director from the public health department, a doctor and a medical officer went to Yangon three or four days ago. Aung Ko Win from KBZ provided Ks200000 each for the healthcare workers,” said Dr Tin Maung Nyunt, head of public health and medical services department for northern Shan State.

Dr Tin Maung Nyunt and Lashio hospital medical superintendent Dr Nyan Myint and officials provided encouraging words to the nurses and handed the items provided by the donors.

“All people are worried about the virus and we thought we can help them with our strength. If I am taking duty in another department, I cannot help them. But I am a healthcare worker and so I listed myself to go to Yangon to help,” said Moe Moe Thant, a senior and leading nurse of the group.

Many donors from Lashio provided cash, masks and other items to use in Yangon.