Bishop John Hsane Hgyi of Pathein, of southern Myanmar, has died of COVID-19, Fr Florence Aung Kyaw Oo, chancellor of the diocese, reported, as cited by Radio Veritas Asia.
“We are all saddened and shocked by the news of our father bishop’s return to the eternal home,” said the clergyman in a message of condolences.
Appointed bishop of Pathein in 2003, the 68-year-old prelate suffered from diabetes and contracted SARS-CoV-2 earlier this week.
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) recently included Myanmar among the countries with the highest level of danger with regard to the spread of the virus.
Yesterday, the ruling military junta announced that some prisoners jailed before February would be released to prevent the virus from spreading in overcrowded prisons.
In the Diocese of Loikaw (Kayah State), a small clinic run by Caritas within the cathedral complex has been converted into a field hospital.
“Surgeons, doctors, nurses, health service technicians, volunteers and religious offer their free help,” said Father Ba Shwe, apostolic administrator of the diocese.
A doctor who spoke to Radio Free Asia on condition of anonymity said the situation is set to get worse because the health system has collapsed.
“[V]ery few health workers [. . .] will continue to work in the health sector,” she said. “If it goes on like this, if left unmanaged, a very worrisome situation will arise.” Edited from Asia News IT
“We are all saddened and shocked by the news of our father bishop’s return to the eternal home,” said the clergyman in a message of condolences.
Appointed bishop of Pathein in 2003, the 68-year-old prelate suffered from diabetes and contracted SARS-CoV-2 earlier this week.
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) recently included Myanmar among the countries with the highest level of danger with regard to the spread of the virus.
Yesterday, the ruling military junta announced that some prisoners jailed before February would be released to prevent the virus from spreading in overcrowded prisons.
In the Diocese of Loikaw (Kayah State), a small clinic run by Caritas within the cathedral complex has been converted into a field hospital.
“Surgeons, doctors, nurses, health service technicians, volunteers and religious offer their free help,” said Father Ba Shwe, apostolic administrator of the diocese.
A doctor who spoke to Radio Free Asia on condition of anonymity said the situation is set to get worse because the health system has collapsed.
“[V]ery few health workers [. . .] will continue to work in the health sector,” she said. “If it goes on like this, if left unmanaged, a very worrisome situation will arise.” Edited from Asia News IT
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