The price of personal protective equipment (PPE) against Covid has risen again, as more cases are reported in Mon State.
During the third wave of Covid, initially the price of PPE increased, but fell after infections decreased.
A vendor selling PPE from Thiri Myaing Ward, Mawlamyine Township, said, “it became very noticeable during the third wave. Prices continued to rise. As case counts declined, prices fell sharply. Now that it is back to Omicron, prices have risen again,” he said.
Last January , a box of masks sold for 1,000 kyats, but now the price is between 1,500 kyats to 2,000 kyats. The price for portable hand gel has risen from 1,200 kyat to 1,800 kyat, he added.
According to a pharmacist in Mawlamyine Township, the price of cough medicine brands such as Biogesic or Decolgin, has risen from 800 kyat to 1,000 kyat per card.
“There was also a shortage of medicines in the third wave. There was a shortage of supplies. The companies could not supply the shops as much as they needed. They only paid the quotas. We get what they pay for. If we need more medicine, the price will go up,” reported the pharmacist.
In the third wave of Covid, a box of masks cost 5,000 kyats, a box of gloves was more than 10,000 kyat and the price of Covid treatment medicine more than doubled.
According to a February 12 statement issued by the State Administrative Council (SACs) — Ministry of Health Council at 8pm, 1,787 new patients were diagnosed with the virus, with a detection rate of 7.23%.
