Nay Pyi Taw October 25
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing gave instructions to officers, other ranks and families of the local military unit in Wuntho of Shwebo Station under North-West Command this afternoon and provided supplies for prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19. Also present at the meeting were Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw and wife, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) and their wives, Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Myo Moe Aung and wife, and officers, other ranks and families of the local battalion in Wuntho.
The Senior General and party were welcomed by officials on their arrival at the hall of the local battalion in Wuntho.
In his speech, the Senior General stressed the importance of combat readiness in servicemen wherever they are assigned to. For servicemen to have combat readiness, the Senior General said they must take training regularly, for which high level of fitness and healthy lifestyle is a precondition. The COVID-19 outbreak still cannot be controlled. COVID-19 cases have been reported in 270 out of 330 townships in the country. And Wuntho has not reported a case. However, there is a need to exercise caution and take preventive measures against the disease. Servicemen must be fit to be able to perform the State’s defence duty. Therefore, tight restrictions have been imposed within the Tatmadaw to prevent infections. Though COVID-19 outbreak has disturbed food supply, as Tatmadaw has pushed the military personnel to engage in agricultural farming and livestock breeding since 2012, the Tatmadaw has food sufficiency at present and is even able to sell food to local residents at reasonable prices. Regarding self-restraint and leadership, the Senior General said:
“He who can practise restraint is a good soldier and a good man. So, I would like to urge you—sergeants, warrant officers, lieutenants, captains, and majors—to exercise restraint. As they are leaders, they must provide real leadership. They must show correct leadership to subordinates. Servicemen must be always ready to perform their duties besides three points of persistence.”
The Senior General urged those present to be aware that their negligence can cost the lives of others, and stressed the need to abide by guidelines and regulations issued by Ministry of Health and Sports as well as the regulations issued by the Tatmadaw.
The multi-party democracy election will be held soon, and servicemen can cast their votes freely. The Senior General urged them to choose who can benefit the country and the region based on their rationality, and make sure they do not make wrong choices. Regarding the education of the servicemen and children of servicemen, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said:
“Another thing I would like to urge all is to take care of your health and to promote the education of children. They should be encouraged to read books in their spare time. They should not be allowed to spend time without doing anything although they do not go to school. They should be asked to study the lessons they last learnt. They will thoroughly understand the lessons and this will contribute a lot to their education when schools reopen. It is impossible to lead successful lives without acquiring proper education these days and it is necessary for them to be educated. Members of the Tatmadaw and their children are required to be educated and to be able to stand on their own feet.”
After delivering the speech, the Senior General presented 1,780 surgical masks, foodstuffs and house-hold goods produced by factories of the Tatmadaw to Colonel Soe Oo Han of Shwebo Station and Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, the wife of the Senior General, presented cash rewards for the maternal and child welfare association of the station to the wife of the station commander.
After the meeting, the Senior General and party cordially greeted the officers, other ranks and families who attended the meeting.
Then, the Senior General and party proceeded to Magyigon Monastery in Wuntho and paid homage to Presiding Abbot Ganthavacaka Panita Bhaddanta Kovida before offering 30 bags of rice, 45 viss of edible oil, 15 viss of salt, 101 viss of gram, personal goods produced by factories of the Tatmadaw and cash for nine prerequisites donated by families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and asking after the health of the Sayadaw.
Afterwards, the Senior General continued to Wuntho Township People’s Hospital, where the Senior General and party were welcomed by Medical Superintendent Dr Tint Lwin and staff. Then, the Senior General spoke words of comfort to local residents receiving treatments at the hospital and presented cash assistance.
At the meeting hall of the hospital, the Senior General explained the purpose of the donation of equipment for the prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19. The Senior General said that he was glad to revisit Wuntho, a town where he had once performed duties and to learn that there is no COVID-19 case in the town. However, the prevention of the pandemic should not be taken carelessly and authorities and the public are required to cooperate to prevent the disease. The guidelines issued must be observed as the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths has risen all over the world. The cooperation of relevant authorities and participation of the public are important. In conclusion, the Senior General said that he had brought equipment for prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19, which was not valuable but would contribute to some extent to the prevention of the pandemic.
Then, the Senior General presented equipment for prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19 including 5,000 surgical masks, 100 face shields, 50 sets of personal protective equipment-PPE, 30 bottles of hand gel, 100 N95 masks, 500 pairs of examination gloves, foodstuffs and household goods produced by factories of the Tatmadaw for Wuntho People’s Hospital to the medical superintendent of the hospital.
Then, the Senior General and party cordially greeted the medical superintendent and staff of the hospital.
