There is no current
news headlines and issues as world-shaking as COVID-19. Covering in all types
of media around the globe, the outbreak of this new virus, trembles the world
with its faculty of easy and rapid contagion. This novel coronavirus neither
puts a disadvantage to one race nor gives favor to another. It travels across
the world without boundary_ reaching all nations and ambiences with no
particular consideration based on the skin, gender, age and financial status.
Scientists, doctors,
experts, researchers, laboratory technicians and health workers from every
corner of the world have been constantly working on antiviral drug since the
past five months. An update on vaccines against COVID-19 shows more than one
hundred vaccines are in preclinical development and some already proceeded
through later-stage trials. Hopefully, applicable vaccine is ready shortly
before this deadly, highly infectious disease ravage humanity.
In fact, the
outbreak of COVID-19 causes a series of misery and loss until today, affecting
big companies to manual workers. Everyone suffers more or less, to some degree.
Looking ahead the future when the vaccine is ready for mass vaccination and
everything goes back to normality, the first thing every single government has
to address is on the catastrophes occurred during the pandemic such as
financial loss, livelihoods, politics trends and policy priorities.
Simultaneously, Myanmar government in its best capacity, would be occupied in
effectively dealing its domestic cases and priority sectors and independently
tackle through its best strategy. The question here is, what the government
needs to put as its priority after COVID-19 pandemic end?
Contemplating the
history of Myanmar until the Independence in 1948, it was not deadly virus like
COVID-19 that virtually destroyed the country’s economy, the healthcare
systems, transportation and electricity infrastructures, educational institutes
and the civilians’ mental health. It was neither the natural disaster nor
terrorism which left the population under immense poverty. The pandemic and natural disasters
occur only sometimes. The
long-lasting internal conflict and civil war remains the driving force and the
core source behind the loss of many lives. The country’s infrastructure
development including public services halts for more than 70 years as a result
of civil war.
The government of
the Union of Myanmar places top priority in emergency upgrades in many health
centers by supplying medical procurement. The President Office consistently
produces statements on social protections safety and health topics regarding
COVID-19. Moreover, various different types of coping mechanisms are initiated
by the governmental bodies, scholars, business owners, civil society organizations
and other community-based organizations, alongside healthcare professionals and
health workers. Some practical measures include raising awareness, distribution
of hand sanitizers and masks, donating personal protective equipment (PPE)
forms and other material requirements for hospitals. The roles of artists and
other social influencers could not be simply ignored as well. The Union
government keeps updated on the status of the deceased and recovery rates,
including other preventive procedures using the channel of the Ministry of
Health and Sport (MOHS) Facebook page.
However, the government is
negligent on the
issue of incessant internal ethnic conflict inside the country. The fight
between Myanmar Tatmataw and ethnic armed groups are currently going on in
Rakhine state, Chin state, Kachin state, northern Shan state and other
territories. Over 70 years of civil war results in many citizens losing tracks
and are left with blurred futures, others suffering from physical pains and
mental health problems. Besides, famines at internal displacement or refugee
camps take thousands of lives. This ongoing conflict further leads the country
into the pit of poverty and sufferings while claiming thousands of civilians’
casualties. Therefore, for the case of Myanmar, civil war remains more lethal
than this deadly and highly infectious coronavirus.
Consequently, it is
the government’s obligation to take active measures in halting the endless
civil war occurred until today. Prioritizing
“Peace” within its country, the government should take more actions by leading
negotiations among the ethnic armed organizations and the Tatmadaw and
producing statement on cessation of civil war, in the very least. The
government as being the only elected stakeholder and is given power by the
people, it is fully accountable in building peace inside the country. In fact, the long-lasting peace will
be enjoyed if taken active leads by the government as it did in tackling
COVID-19 and the populations unitedly participate and involve together with the
government.