The government has donated one million doses of Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines and needles and syringes to Myanmar, to assist the country in its fight against the pandemic.

Ministry of Health secretary of state York Sambath said the vaccines were shipped to Myanmar on May 26.

She said the shipment was sent by the ministry, following the recommendations of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

“This is not the first but the fourth time we have donated vaccines to Myanmar. We have provided them with medical equipment, including oxygen and vaccines, previously. We expect that these vaccines will be administered to the people of Myanmar in order to curb the spread of the virus,” she said.

She added that Cambodia has also made similar donations to other countries such as Laos and Vietnam.

“This is a purely humanitarian gesture ... Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that even if we prevent an outbreak in our country, we are still at risk if the virus is present in our neighbours. This is why we must share,” she said.

Myanmar Deputy Minister of Health Aye Tun accepted the vaccines, nothing that they are a symbol of regional solidarity and kindness.

“First of all, I extend my deep gratitude to Cambodia for its kindness in saving the lives of the people of Myanmar. We have also received medical equipment from Cambodia to curb the spread of Covid-19 in 2021,” he said.

He explained that Covid-19 brought Myanmar into difficult times, but that "hard times always revealed true friends and partners".