Dream Train, a child development centre in Myanmar received 24,000 surgical masks and 240 cloth masks as support for measures against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases from Dai-ichi Life Insurance Myanmar Ltd. (Hereafter, “Dai-ichi Life Myanmar”), a subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (President: Seiji Inagaki).
Background
In Myanmar, the number of people infected with COVID-19 has been increasing rapidly since June 2021, and in late July, the number of positive test rates exceeded 40% on some days. With the medical system under pressure, there is a large number of infected people who are unable to be hospitalized and are having to stay at home to recuperate. At the same time, the shortage of supplies such as oxygen cylinders, medicines, and nutritious food items has led to a sharp increase in prices.
During the rainy season from late May to October in Myanmar, illnesses such as influenza, dengue fever, chikungunya fever, skin diseases caused by ringworm, and typhoid fever are usually prevalent. At Dream Train, a child development centre in Myanmar, some of the children and staff were known to be experiencing fever and breathlessness since the end of June.
With more than 100 children living together, infection control measures against various infectious diseases including COVID-19 are of the most important concerns for Dream Train. During a situation where it is difficult to secure supplies, the support received at this time will not only help protect the children but also the physical and mental health of the staff who care for the children in Dream Train.
Support from Dai-ichi Life Myanmar
Since March last year, when the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Myanmar, hand sanitizers, alcohol disinfectants, non-woven masks and cloth masks have been donated by Dai-ichi Life Myanmar on a regular basis.
Furthermore, Dai-ich Life Myanmar has also been providing a wide range of educational support to help children achieve self-reliance such as by donating programming courses and 10 tablet devices for IT education, and conducting various online courses: “Personal Development: Knowing Yourselves and Improving Quality of Life” and “Lifestyle Development: Time Management and Financial Literacy, Business English” for children, and “Staff Development” for local staff.
About Dream Train
Dream Train, a child development centre, has been providing care for children who are at risk of being trafficked or have difficulties in getting enough food or education due to bereavement or poverty since 2010. With the aim of producing human resources who will shape the future of Myanmar, Dream Train has supported 306 children in their journeys currently.