The outpatient department for general diseases of Sitagu Sakkudana (free eye care) Hospital and Maha Muni Pagoda in Hsipaw Township, Shan State, have closed temporarily since June 30 as Covid-19 cases increase.

As the town has reported more than 40 cases with the virus seemingly spreading to seven of the 11 wards, the hospital’s ODP and the pagoda had to close temporarily, said the abbot of Maha Muni Pagoda Monastery. 

“We are seeing infections almost every day. This is why we have decided to close them. There is no other reason. At the monastery, there are over 60 novices. The ODP wanted to continue to provide services but had to close as there are many risks. We opened and closed it of our own volition. The ODP was opened for town dwellers. It was reopened on February 10 this year as private clinics closed at that time. Over the past four months, it treated nearly 1,900 patients free of charge. Even some received cash donations because they had difficulty with travel expense after being treated. At present, Hsipaw has over 40 Covid-19 patients and two have died,” said abbot U Panna Siri.

Sitagu free eye hospital in Hsipaw was opened in 2008 and carried out eye surgeries every four months. But, it had to close following the Covid-19 outbreak in January 2020. 

However, the hospital still operated the outpatient clinic. In the previous month, over 200 eye surgeries were performed. So far it has handled nearly 30,000 cases.