UNOPS, WHO and ICRC visit Ayeyarwady Foundation’s Covid Center to step up their joint fight against COVID-19 in Myanmar

UNOPS, WHO and ICRC visit Ayeyarwady Foundation’s Covid Center to step up their joint fight against COVID-19 in Myanmar

Ayeyarwady Foundation, with guidance and support from the Ministry of Health and Sports (MOHS) establishes long-term multilateral relationships for crucial joint technical, logistical and capacity-building support in Myanmar’s fight against COVID-19.

October 7, 2020 - YANGON - Representatives from the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visited the Ayeyarwady Foundation’s Covid Center (Ayeyarwady Center) located at Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, to observe the soon to be opened ICU-HDU facilities construction and installation.

During the visit, U Zaw Zaw, Chairman of Ayeyarwady Foundation, met with the officials to discuss the formation of a long-term multilateral relationship to jointly support efforts to increase the treatment and testing capacity of COVID-19 at the Ayeyarwady Center and enhance containment of the “second wave” in Myanmar. Furthermore, they explored ways to increase staff technical expertise in operating the ICU/HDU Critical Care section of the Ayeyarwady Center. In a show of support, UNOPS agreed to source idle or redundant equipment and allocate, including ventilators, to the Ayeyarwady Center for emergency use.

Prior to the visit, U Zaw Zaw, who is also the Chairman of Max Myanmar Group, held virtual meetings on October 3 with experts from UNOPS and WHO to share information around COVID-19 health care treatment best practices. The WHO may provide online training and human resources support in the form of healthcare specialists in ICU, anesthetic and radiology; UNOPS may support with guidance on procurement logistics and infrastructure and coordination with international donors; and the ICRC could provide assistance in the form of ICU specialists and healthcare professionals.

U Zaw Zaw said of the cooperation, “The Ayeyarwady Center is not only the work of the Ayeyarwady Foundation and Max Myanmar, but a collective effort with necessary guidance and support of the MOHS and Yangon Regional Government to support the Myanmar people. We are humbled to act as a bridge between the great work UNOPS and WHO are doing at the global level, and the amazing effort of our community here in Myanmar to fight this virus.”

The Ayeyarwady Center, a joint-cooperation between the Ministry of Health and Sports (MOHS) and the Ayeyarwady Foundation was established as a temporary treatment center for COVID-19 infected patients. It started off as a 425-bed temporary treatment center on September 19 and expanded into 575-bed temporary treatment center on September 29 and 875-bedded temporary treatment center on October 3. 75-bedded ICU/HDU Critical Care Unit will be opened in the coming days.

The Ayeyarwady Foundation, through the Ayeyarwady Center, has been actively seeking collaborative opportunities with the wider global healthcare community and volunteers to come to Myanmar and provide their knowledge and skills to combat the pandemic. The need is especially acute for intensive care units (ICU) and high dependency units (HDU), where there is a critical shortage in highly trained and experienced human resources. The Foundation also welcomes partners for key support areas such as accommodation, logistics, and other expertise from international volunteers.

The list of the visitors from UNOPS, WHO and ICRC -
  • Mr. Andrew Kirkook, UNOPS
  • Mr. Laurent, UNOPS
  • Mr. Oscar Marenko Ruiz, UNOPS
  • Ms. Hlaing Yin Win, UNOPS
  • Dr. Fabio Maldas De Mesquita, WHO
  • Two Officials of ICRC

About Max Myanmar Group

Max Myanmar Group is one of Myanmar’s premier conglomerates, with a reputation for quality excellence, entrepreneurship, innovative drive and inspiring leadership. With a clear vision, strong organization and effective decision-making, the Group is able to move fast and effectively building and creating value successfully. At the head of the organization is Chairman U Zaw Zaw, well-known for his business acumen and passion for developing the Group’s most valuable asset – our people. Originally established as Max Myanmar Co., Ltd. in 1993, the company started operations as an importer of vehicles from Japan. Through an accelerated growth strategy, it expanded and diversified into the fields of manufacturing, construction, mechanical engineering, transportation and logistics, energy, hotel and tourism, agriculture, and financial services.

About Ayeyarwady Foundation

Chairman U Zaw Zaw has a strong interest in the nation’s development and imbues the values of good corporate citizenry throughout the entire Group. Ayeyarwady Foundation was set up in 2010 as a Non-Profit Organization (NPO) to focus on 5 pillars of philanthropy.

Ayeyarwady foundation’s philanthropy is a part of Corporate Sustainability, which is centered on being a good corporate citizen and having a positive impact in society, while improving the quality of life for communities and stakeholders. Ayeyarwady Foundation’s commitment to human rights, environmental sustainability and anti-corruption efforts is grounded in our organization’s belief that profitability and corporate social responsibility are not mutually exclusive values. Ayeyarwady foundation’s practices are in-lined with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights and Work; OECD’s Guidelines, applicable ISO Standards, the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards and the United Nations Global Compact.

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ayeyarwady Foundation has contributed 4 Billion Kyats for the people’s safety and public health. The Foundation has set up quarantine camps converted from AYA Bank Training Center, three camps of Myanmar National Football Teams and National Football Academy (Yangon), which can hold up to 350 people to be quarantined. Together with Max Hotels Group and Novotel Yangon Max, the Foundation has provided daily meals for 600 quarantined people in Yangon. Ayeyarwady Foundation also provide accommodations and health insurance for healthcare workers each and every day during the crisis.

Media Contact Person
Myat Thiengi - Manager
ERA Myanmar
[email protected] | +959 421072775