THE South Korean government’s overseas aid agency has donated medical equipment valued at about US$9000 to the Department of Medical Research (Lower Myanmar).

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) donated a microscope, a digital camera and equipment used in liver disease research.

The equipment was handed over by KOICA’s representative in Myanmar, Ms Baek Sook-Hee, to Professor Dr Paing Soe, the director general of the department, at a ceremony at its headquarters on Ziwaka Road, Dagon township, on October 5.

The equipment will be used at a hepatitis clinic established by the department in 2001, said U Aung Myo Min, the head research scientist of its computer division.

KOICA and the department also presented certificates to 43 department officers and staff members who had completed three-month computer courses conducted by KOICA volunteers and Myanmar teachers.

The course covered web page design and basic programming and applications.

The aid agency and the department started a healthy liver project in 2001 to help control hepatitis B and C infections. The agency, which opened its office in 1998 at the South Korean embassy on University Avenue, last year donated computers and medical equipment valued at about US$10,000 for use in liver disease research.