The Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) announced on July 24 that it has formed a virus control group to expedite emergency coronavirus control and treatment services in Myanmar due to the growing Covid-19 outbreak in the country.

The committee consists of Col. Khun Okkar, Col. Sai Ngin, Yebaw Myo Win, Phado Saw Taw Nee, Saw Mra Rarzar Lin, Yebaw Sonny, Dr. Sai Oo, Nai Aung Ma Nage, Nang Yin Yin Soe, Major Saw Hell Say, and Major Saw Hmue El Wah.

Yebaw Myo Win said the committee was set up because it saw ongoing efforts to control the virus as a national issue.

“We believe that working together is not a one-size-fits-all approach to tackling the virus,” he said.

The Covid-19 Situation Management Committee (CSMC) — as the PPST’s new virus control body is formally called — said in a statement that it would work with local stakeholders, foreign governments and international organisations to speed up the implementation of disease control.

The new committee has set out eight steps to be taken to control the spread of the virus and will hold talks with local and international organisations to make it a success, he added.

“The key is to meet and work together to build a good foundation for inclusive healthcare in a systematic way,” he explained.

The PPST is made up of 10 ethnic armed groups that have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).

Virus infections and the related death toll from the third wave of Covid-19 in Myanmar is rising day by day.

Since Myanmar’s first case was reported in March 2020, the country had recorded 258,870 total Covid-19 infections as of July 23, with 6,459 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health and Sports.