First Delivery of COVID-19 Antigen Test Kits to Myanmar

Tuesday, 29 September 2020 - As part of the ‘Enhancing the Detection Capacity for COVID-19 in ASEAN Countries’ project, upon an urgent request from the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, a delivery including 4,000 kits of COVID-19 antigen test was rapidly passed to the Ministry of Health and Sports, Myanmar on 29 September 2020. The test kits are being stored in the Central Medical Store Depot and distributed where the tests are conducted.

In an effort to identify and reflect the needs of each ASEAN Member States in response to COVID-19, the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), an implementing agency of the project, and the ASEAN countries have consulted closely for the procurement and distribution of the test kit and equipment.

With the Republic of Korea’s contribution amounting to USD 5 million to the project through the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF), this first delivery of the test kits to Myanmar will be followed by the next procurement and distribution process for the rest of ASEAN countries.

By providing the proven diagnostic test kits, personal protective equipment, laboratory equipment, and/or on-site training, the project is expected that it will enable the public health authorities in ASEAN to effectively respond to public health concerns.