Myanmar will vaccinate minority Muslim Rohingya people against the coronavirus, a spokesman for its ruling military said on Friday, adding that no one will be left behind in its inoculation campaign.

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled to Bangladesh during military operations in 2017 and those who remain complain of discrimination and mistreatment in a country that does not recognise them as citizens.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-covid-19-vaccination-drive-50-of-adults-have-had-their-first-jab-408814" hreflang="en">India's COVID-19 vaccination drive: 50% of adults have had their first jab</a>

Spokesman Zaw Min Tun said authorities were making progress in reducing coronavirus infections and increasing vaccinations and aimed to inoculate half of the country's population by the end of this year.

Myanmar reported 2,635 new coronavirus infections and 113 additional deaths on Thursday, though the number of daily cases and reported fatalities have come down from a peak hit in July.

The vaccinations would include Rohingya people in Maungdaw and Buthidaung districts bordering Bangladesh, he said.

He referred to them as "Bengalis", a term used for decades in Buddhist majority Myanmar to describe Rohingya, a group many regard as unwanted immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh.

"They are also our people as well," Zaw Min Tun told a regular news conference. "We will not leave anyone behind."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/some-sri-lankans-opt-for-cardboard-coffins-amid-covid-19-surge-408465">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/some-sri-lankans-opt-for-cardboard-coffins-amid-covid-19-surge-408465/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It was not immediately clear whether the vaccination campaign would extend to Rohingya Muslims living in densely-packed camps in Rakhine state and what the qualification criteria would be.

The issue is deeply sensitive in Myanmar, where animosity about Rohingya runs deep. International rights groups say hundreds of thousands of stateless Rohingya should be entitled to citizenship rather than be discriminated against and branded illegal immigrants.

A junta-appointed administrator earlier this month said there was no plan to include Rohingya in camps near the state capital Sittwe.

At least 700,000 Rohingya fled Rakhine for Bangladesh in 2017 during operations by the army under the command of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who is now prime minister and head of Myanmar's junta.

UN investigators said those operations were carried out with "genocidal intent" but the army denied that and said they were aimed at countering Rohingya "terrorists".

Myanmar will vaccinate minority Muslim Rohingya people against the coronavirus, a spokesman for its ruling military said on Friday, adding that no one will be left behind in its inoculation campaign.

Myanmar will vaccinate minority Muslim Rohingya people against the coronavirus, a spokesman for its ruling military said on Friday, adding that no one will be left behind in its inoculation campaign. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled to Bangladesh during military operations in 2017 and those who remain complain of discrimination and mistreatment in a country that does not recognise them as citizens. Also read | India's COVID-19 vaccination drive: 50% of adults have had their first jab Spokesman Zaw Min Tun said authorities were making progress in reducing coronavirus infections and increasing vaccinations and aimed to inoculate half of the country's population by the end of this year. Myanmar reported 2,635 new coronavirus infections and 113 additional deaths on Thursday, though the number of daily cases and reported fatalities have come down from a peak hit in July. The vaccinations would include Rohingya people in Maungdaw and Buthidaung districts bordering Bangladesh, he said. He referred to them as "Bengalis", a term used for decades in Buddhist majority Myanmar to describe Rohingya, a group many regard as unwanted immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh. "They are also our people as well," Zaw Min Tun told a regular news conference. "We will not leave anyone behind." WATCH | It was not immediately clear whether the vaccination campaign would extend to Rohingya Muslims living in densely-packed camps in Rakhine state and what the qualification criteria would be. The issue is deeply sensitive in Myanmar, where animosity about Rohingya runs deep. International rights groups say hundreds of thousands of stateless Rohingya should be entitled to citizenship rather than be discriminated against and branded illegal immigrants. A junta-appointed administrator earlier this month said there was no plan to include Rohingya in camps near the state capital Sittwe. At least 700,000 Rohingya fled Rakhine for Bangladesh in 2017 during operations by the army under the command of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who is now prime minister and head of Myanmar's junta. UN investigators said those operations were carried out with "genocidal intent" but the army denied that and said they were aimed at countering Rohingya "terrorists".

Myanmar will extend COVID-19 vaccinations to Rohingya

As the country faces another <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> outbreak, locals have started looking for volunteers clad in white PPE kits to perform the last rites of the Covid victims.

Last year, Myanmar locals started providing free taxi services for those who were infected by the deadly coronavirus. These volunteers were readily taking victims to hospitals and quarantine centres. However, locals were hesitant about taking help from them.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-rebel-group-suspends-key-leader-in-massacre-investigation-397219" hreflang="en">Myanmar rebel group suspends key leader in massacre investigation</a>

Things seemed to have changed now as locals are turning towards these volunteers for help as Myanmar has observed an alarming increase in coronavirus cases.

"Before... people were scared to see emergency teams wearing PPE," a volunteer in Hle Guu township north of Yangon told new agency, AFP. "But now, they are looking for us. The situation is upside down."

Last week, Tun Khine (a businessman who spoke under a pseudonym) took seven dead bodies to a crematorium ground. Of these seven dead bodies, one was a confirmed case who died in the hospital and the other six were suspected to have been infected from the virus and had never been taken to the hospital.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/stay-at-home-orders-in-myanmars-yangon-as-covid-cases-spike-396593" hreflang="en">Stay-at-home orders in Myanmar's Yangon as Covid cases spike</a>

While the world was fighting coronavirus last year, Myanmar was battling a military coup. Since the Myanmar military ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and took control of the country, thousands of health workers went on strike to protest the rising violence in the country.

Since the coup, all medical workers have been scared of getting attacked by the forces. Khine’s team, too, has voiced this concern. "Of course we are afraid," he said. "But our bigger fear is our people being infected and risking their lives."

At the end of every shift, the team members spray each other with disinfectants to protect themselves and their family members from the deadly coronavirus. However, they have vowed to continue helping fellow citizens in this battle against COVID-19. "More people are going to die if we stop working because we are afraid,"&nbsp;Khine said.

As the country faces another coronavirus outbreak, locals have started looking for volunteers clad in white PPE kits to perform the last rites of the Covid victims.

As the country faces another coronavirus outbreak, locals have started looking for volunteers clad in white PPE kits to perform the last rites of the Covid victims. Last year, Myanmar locals started providing free taxi services for those who were infected by the deadly coronavirus. These volunteers were readily taking victims to hospitals and quarantine centres. However, locals were hesitant about taking help from them. Also read | Myanmar rebel group suspends key leader in massacre investigation Things seemed to have changed now as locals are turning towards these volunteers for help as Myanmar has observed an alarming increase in coronavirus cases. "Before... people were scared to see emergency teams wearing PPE," a volunteer in Hle Guu township north of Yangon told new agency, AFP. "But now, they are looking for us. The situation is upside down." Last week, Tun Khine (a businessman who spoke under a pseudonym) took seven dead bodies to a crematorium ground. Of these seven dead bodies, one was a confirmed case who died in the hospital and the other six were suspected to have been infected from the virus and had never been taken to the hospital. Also read | Stay-at-home orders in Myanmar's Yangon as Covid cases spike While the world was fighting coronavirus last year, Myanmar was battling a military coup. Since the Myanmar military ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and took control of the country, thousands of health workers went on strike to protest the rising violence in the country. Since the coup, all medical workers have been scared of getting attacked by the forces. Khine’s team, too, has voiced this concern. "Of course we are afraid," he said. "But our bigger fear is our people being infected and risking their lives." At the end of every shift, the team members spray each other with disinfectants to protect themselves and their family members from the deadly coronavirus. However, they have vowed to continue helping fellow citizens in this battle against COVID-19. "More people are going to die if we stop working because we are afraid," Khine said.

Health volunteers provide hope to Covid-infected Myanmar amid another outbreak

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-military-junta-leader-arrives-in-moscow-for-conference-392798">Myanmar</a> reported 407 new coronavirus cases on Sunday with the total number of COVID-19 cases surging&nbsp;to 148,022.

Reports said the military government has issued stay-at-home orders in eight towns amid record-high cases. At least 3,240 people have died due to the virus in the country.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/myanmars-junta-leader-arrives-in-moscow-for-security-conference-392952/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

On Monday, Myanmar's state-controlled media reported 546 fresh&nbsp;coronavirus cases.

The military government which had taken over control of the country after ousting Aung San Suu Kyi's government&nbsp;has been hit by a series of violent protests by the people who have demanded a return to democracy.

Last week authorities had arrested the ex-head of the country's coronavirus immunisation programme Dr Htar Htar Lin over treason charges.&nbsp;

Several doctors and health workers have joined nationwide protests against the junta which has been battling the virus surge.

Reports say health services have been badly affected due to the virus with Kayah state being the worst hit.

Reports say several doctors face treason charges. US-based Physicians for Human Rights condemned the crackdown on doctors in Myanmar.

Protesters on Saturday defied the military government to hold a flower protest to celebrate Aung San Suu Kyi's 76th birthday even as she faced trial.

Suu Kyi has been under house arrest since February 1 after the military unseated the democratic government and arrested several top leaders belonging to her National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Myanmar reported 407 new coronavirus cases on Sunday with the total number of COVID-19 cases surging to 148,022. Reports said the military government has issued stay-at-home orders in eight towns amid record-high cases.

Myanmar reported 407 new coronavirus cases on Sunday with the total number of COVID-19 cases surging to 148,022. Reports said the military government has issued stay-at-home orders in eight towns amid record-high cases. At least 3,240 people have died due to the virus in the country. Watch: On Monday, Myanmar's state-controlled media reported 546 fresh coronavirus cases. The military government which had taken over control of the country after ousting Aung San Suu Kyi's government has been hit by a series of violent protests by the people who have demanded a return to democracy. Last week authorities had arrested the ex-head of the country's coronavirus immunisation programme Dr Htar Htar Lin over treason charges. Several doctors and health workers have joined nationwide protests against the junta which has been battling the virus surge. Reports say health services have been badly affected due to the virus with Kayah state being the worst hit. Reports say several doctors face treason charges. US-based Physicians for Human Rights condemned the crackdown on doctors in Myanmar. Protesters on Saturday defied the military government to hold a flower protest to celebrate Aung San Suu Kyi's 76th birthday even as she faced trial. Suu Kyi has been under house arrest since February 1 after the military unseated the democratic government and arrested several top leaders belonging to her National League for Democracy (NLD) party. (With inputs from Agencies)

Myanmar battles virus surge amid protests against military junta

In her New Year's address to the nation, Myanmar's state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi has announced that her country will get the COVID-19 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-begin-coronavirus-vaccine-roll-out-in-10-days-government-354599">vaccine</a> from India and that a contract has been signed regarding it.&nbsp;

&nbsp;"The purchase contract for buying the first batch of the vaccines from India has already been signed. As soon as the authorities concerned in India have issued permission to use this vaccine, we have made arrangements for the import of these vaccines into Myanmar,"

Last year the Indian foreign secretary Harsh Shringla and Army Chief MM Naravane had jointly visited the country. The visit saw high-level assurances from India that Myanmar will be a priority when it comes to the vaccine. Shringla also handed over 3000 vials of Remdesivir as a symbol of India‘s commitment to helping Myanmar mitigate the impact of COVID-19.

Myanmar has signed MoU with the Serum Institute of India for Covishield. Over the weekend, India's drug regulator gave approval for its use.

The state counsellor highlighted that the first priority group to get the vaccine will be medical professionals and medical personnel which will take place in February.&nbsp;

"There is a lot of competition as all the countries of the world are trying to get this vaccine. However, we believe that the vaccination programme could be carried out all over the country step-by-step," San Suu Kyi added.

"During the period when the vaccines are still not available, I wish to appeal to the people to abide by the health rules and regulations and give support to our efforts to beat COVID-19. Please be vigilant; please be patient. Please brace yourself by visioning the future. We are all in this together," she added.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, India reaffirmed its position as the pharma capital of the world by sending medicines like HCQ, paracetamol to more than 150 countries.&nbsp;

New Delhi also organised training to build capacity. In fact, for the neighbourhood, India has organized two training modules in which about 90 health experts and scientists have participated.

In her New Year's address to the nation, Myanmar's state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi has announced that her country will get the COVID-19 vaccine from India and that a contract has been signed regarding it.

In her New Year's address to the nation, Myanmar's state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi has announced that her country will get the COVID-19 vaccine from India and that a contract has been signed regarding it. "The purchase contract for buying the first batch of the vaccines from India has already been signed. As soon as the authorities concerned in India have issued permission to use this vaccine, we have made arrangements for the import of these vaccines into Myanmar," Last year the Indian foreign secretary Harsh Shringla and Army Chief MM Naravane had jointly visited the country. The visit saw high-level assurances from India that Myanmar will be a priority when it comes to the vaccine. Shringla also handed over 3000 vials of Remdesivir as a symbol of India‘s commitment to helping Myanmar mitigate the impact of COVID-19. Myanmar has signed MoU with the Serum Institute of India for Covishield. Over the weekend, India's drug regulator gave approval for its use. The state counsellor highlighted that the first priority group to get the vaccine will be medical professionals and medical personnel which will take place in February. "There is a lot of competition as all the countries of the world are trying to get this vaccine. However, we believe that the vaccination programme could be carried out all over the country step-by-step," San Suu Kyi added. "During the period when the vaccines are still not available, I wish to appeal to the people to abide by the health rules and regulations and give support to our efforts to beat COVID-19. Please be vigilant; please be patient. Please brace yourself by visioning the future. We are all in this together," she added. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, India reaffirmed its position as the pharma capital of the world by sending medicines like HCQ, paracetamol to more than 150 countries. New Delhi also organised training to build capacity. In fact, for the neighbourhood, India has organized two training modules in which about 90 health experts and scientists have participated.

In New Year speech, Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi announces contract to get COVID-19 vaccine from India