Myanmar can identify 2019 novel coronavirus in its own lab from February 21, said Dr Pike Htwe, Union Minister for Health and Sports in a parliament session held on February 11.
He replied to a question raised by MP Dr Sein Mya Aye of Dala Constituency whether the ministry has plans to prevent the outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus and to have fewer deaths if the infectious disease is reached to Myanmar.
“The 2019 novel coronavirus can identify in Myanmar soon. We can test about 100 times in a reference lab in Thailand and 250 times in a reference lab in United States. Chief of the Asia Pacific will come to provide training in related with the coronavirus test,” he said.
Although Myanmar can identify the virus starting from February 21, it is not late as there are 15 labs including labs in China, Japan, Germany, Thailand, Singapore, India, France and Russia which can identify the virus, he added.
He continued although the virus has not found in Myanmar yet, it can be found anytime. Lesser passengers entered in airports and about 100 or 200 passengers are entered Myanmar through airports. There are 27 border gates and hundreds and thousands of people are coming through them. Now there are only about ten thousand people.
He said the ministry is carrying out from every aspect to prevent the virus and they are in discussion with health institutions from other countries and World Health Organizations about the requirements in Myanmar.
T Khun Myat, Speaker of Union Parliament said he thanked the union minister for his answer and it will be printed in state owned newspapers as it will be beneficial for the citizens.
