Like soldiers of infantry units, medical corps will have to show qualities
such as courage which are based on patriotic spirit
The following is the address delivered by Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services SeniorGeneral Than Shwe at the graduation parade of the Fourth Intake of DSMA.
On this passing-out parade of Intake No 4 of the Defence Services Medical Academy, I would like to impart to you a few words you should know well.
The Defence Services Medical Academy was established in 1992 and its purpose is to turn out the medical officers of the defence services who are full of physical prowess and mental faculty and who will safeguard “Our three main national causes”. And the motto of the Academy is “Victorious medical practitioner soldiers”. Therefore, you should try your best to be successful not only as soldiers in battle fields but also as doctors in medical profession.
As you all have completed the military training as platoon commanders, you are even capable of performing military duties in the infantry. And you will have to train the medical units you have to take charge of to be always ready for battles. Only then, will the defence services medical staff be able to execute the primary duty of soldiers. Like the members of the infantry units, you will have to show qualities such as courage which are based on patriotic spirit. Therefore, I would like to urge you all to stick to “Three constants”, that is, you will have to constantly undergo training ; you will have to constantly exercise military vigilance; you always have to be constantly in combat readiness.
The main duty of the Tatmadaw is to fight, to undergo training and to carry out nation-building tasks. Ours being the patriotic Tatmadaw, we have to perform the national defence duty at risk to our own lives and serve the interests of the people wherever we are posted. Accordingly, the Tatmadaw today is executing the national defence duty and the nation-building tasks at the same time.
At a time like this when we are having to shoulder the responsibilities of the State, it is our duty to protect the life and property of the people so that they will be able to live in peace of mind and to create an environment in which they will be able to earn their living freely. Economic infrastructures have been built to ensure economic development in all the regions across the Union. To avoid a situation in which only one or two major cities are well-developed and all the rest of the nation have to depend on them socially and economically, 24 development regions have been established and measures are being taken to improve economic, health and education sectors and to narrow the gap among the regions.
The five rural development tasks are being implemented for the development of both rural and urban areas. Strenuous efforts are being made for the devleopment of border areas which lagged behind other regions due to internal strife. Therefore, it is sure that our future nation will experience continuous development. All of you, hand in hand with the people, will have to lend yourselves to the drive for the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation.
You are going to discharge your duties in various regions across the nation. Therefore, I would like to touch on Union Spirit. The colonialists, during their rule over our land, intentionally sow discord and division among the national races. As a result, armed conflicts accompanied the nation’s independence and thus delayed its development. It is in the time of the Tatmadaw Government that the national reconsolidation has been restored and rapid development achieved. It is the practical lesson that the development of the State totally rests on national unity. Should national unity collapse, there could be a bloodbath in the nation and it would be erased from the map of the world.
Therefore, it is the duty of all the national brethren living in the states and divisions of the Union to build and defend their motherland. This is called the Union Spirit.
I would like to urge you to cooperate with members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Myanmar War Veterans Organization, Myanmar Police Force, Fire Brigade, Red Cross Society and the entire national people for the flourishing of Union Spirit.
You are medical staff of the Tatmadaw. The objective of the medical corps is “healthy and strong to fight”. In line with the objective, you are to take care of the health of the Tatmadawmen and their family members as well as of the people living in rural and border areas.
Nowadays, measures are being taken to realize the objective of ensuring a healthy and long life for the entire people. In accordance with human resource development index, steps are being taken for the people, including those in the rural areas, to enjoy higher life expectancy. The National Health Committee is taking care of national health and fitness.
There were only three institutes of medicine and one institute of dental medicine but now there are 16 institutes of medicine and health- related universities. The tasks for human resource development in medical profession are also being carried out. 29 doctorate degree courses, seven Dr Med Sc courses and 25 M Med Sc courses are being conducted.
Forty-seven officers of the first intake and 65 of the second intake are now working for M.Med.Sc degree. The rest of the officers are also going to attend various post-graduate courses. Therefore, I would like to urge you to make constant effort to become outstanding physicians. The State will decorate those who can improve its image by making a new discovery in the medical field.
Asian countries are now doing research on their traditional medicines so that they can be widely used all over the world. We must try our best so that Myanmar traditional medicines and therapies will be internationally recognized. Moreover, we must see to it that we are independent when it comes to medicines.
You are junior leaders of the Tatmadaw. Therefore, you need to be endowed with characteristics of a good leader to command the trust of your surbodinates. You must try to be a good soldier by setting good examples. You must have the spirit of a good commander and a good parent. You should always be willing to do whatever is good for the Tatmadaw. You should always be ready to make sacrifices for the sake of the nation. You must have the ability to keep the unit under your charge always in unity and to preserve the 12 fine traditions of the Tatmadaw.
Being physicians, you have to abide by the professional ethics. You often need to undergo military trainings and make a constant study of medicine. Especially, you have to do simultaneous research on military science and medical science to give treatments in the future wars staged with the use of modern weapons.
In conclusion, I would like to urge you all:
- to try your best to become outstanding physicians and victorious soldiers in the battle fields
- to strive for the flourishing of Union Spirit with national conviction
- to make energetic efforts for the uplift of health and fitness of the entire nation
- to become good leaders who can preserve the 12 fine traditrions of the Tatmadaw and
- to participate, hand in hand with the people, in building a peaceful, modern
and developed nation.
Senior General Than Shwe addresses graduation parade of 4th Intake of Defence Services Medical Academy
Yangon, 30 Jan — Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe delivered an address at the graduation parade of 4th Intake of Defence Services Medical Academy at the parade ground of DSMA, here, at 7.30 am today.
At the ceremony, Senior General Than Shwe inspected cadet companies.
Then, the graduation cadet company marched past the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.
Next, the Senior General presented Aungsitthi Award to Cadet Tha Htet San, Excellent Training Award to Cadet Aung Kyaw Kyaw and Excellent Studies Award to Cadet Tha Htet San.
Afterwards, the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services delivered an address (reported separately).
After the parade, the Senior General met with two outstanding cadets and their parents at the hall of the main lecture hall of the academy.
Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing attend graduation dinner of 4th Intake of Defence Services Medical Academy
Yangon, 30 Jan — Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing attended the graduation dinner of the 4th Intake of Defence Services Medical Academy was held at the assembly hall of Convocation Hall of DSMA, here, at 7 pm today.
After the dinner, artistes of Myawady music troupe and Myanma Music Asiayon and the Myawady Anyeint troupe performed entertainment to the accompaniment of Myawady music troupe at the convocation hall of DSMA.
Second Buddha Pujaniya of Lawka Chantha Buddha Image, conveyance of marble bowl coordinated
Yangon, 30 Jan — The coordination meeting to hold the second Buddha Pujaniya of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Buddha Image and convey the marble bowl was held at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Religious Affairs this afternoon, attended by Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin.
Minister U Aung Khin said that the work committees and sub-committees have been formed for holding the second Buddha Pujaniya of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Buddha Image on a grand scale from 15 to 17 February. Then, the minister invited those present to give suggestions to smoothly convey the marble bowl onto Mindhamma Hill.
Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko reported on arrangements made for smooth conveyance of the marble bowl onto the hill and Minister for Construction U Tint Swe on conveyance works. Those present took part in the discussions.
Next, Chairman of the Work Committee for Organizing the Buddha Pujaniya Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko reported on arrangements for successful holding of the Pujaniya. Then, officials of the sub-committees reported their respective sectors. Later, the minister gave concluding remarks.
Leading Committee for Organizing Armed Forces Day holds third coord meeting
Yangon, 30 Jan — The Leading Committee for Organizing the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day held the third coordination meeting at the hall of Yangon Command Headquarters at 2.30 pm today, with an address by Chairman of the Leading Committee Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win.
Also present on the occasion were Chairman of the Management Committee for Organizing the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, chairmen and members of the Leading Committee and the Work Committee and officials of Myanmar Police Force, Fire Services Department and Myanmar Red Cross Society.
First, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win delivered an address. He said that work committees for Organizing the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day are carrying out the tasks with momentum. In doing so, progress of works and requirements are to be reported. Moreover, departments concerned are to provide assistance to MPF, FSD and MRCS members who will participate in the Armed Forces Day parade.
Then, Deputy Adjutant-General Col Khin Soe read out the minutes of the previous meeting.
Next, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe reported on tasks being carried out by the Management Committee and Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing on drill practising of MPF and MRCS members who will take part in the Armed Forces Day parade and requirements.
Afterwards, chairmen, vice-chairmen and officials of work groups reported on their respective sectors and tasks to be done. Officials of MPF, FSD and MRCS presented reports on drill practising of the members and tasks to be carried out. Then, those present participated in the discussions.
Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa also reported on training of Fire Brigade members and requirements. Later, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win fulfilled their requirements and gave concluding remarks.
Minister inspects road and bridge
Yangon, 30 Jan — Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein and officials, on 27 January inspected along the Monywa-Sagaing Road and gave necessary instructions to the officials.
The minister proceeded to Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon) construcion site at Sagain Bank. After hearing report presented by Superintending Engineer U San Win, the minister gave instructions.
The minister and party then attended the merits sharing ceremony for the renovation of pagoda in Kyawkse by the staff families of the ministry.
Minister inspects construction of railroads
Yangon, 30 Jan — Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, accompanied by officials, inspected the digging of eastern tunnel at Ponnya Mountain on Pakokku-Gangaw-Kale railroad section on 21 January.
On 23 January, the minister and party inspected the levelling of slopes and embankment works for railroad from the tunnel to Yemyatni. From 24 to 27 January, the minister and party inspected Kyaw-Kyawtha railroad section and bridges on it, tunnelling sites of both eastern and western tunnels, and Pyay-Aunglan railroad section and gave instructions on efficient use of machinery and fuel, meeting the set standards, and worksite safety.
Myanmar Health Research Congress continues
Yangon, 30 Jan — The fourth day session of Myanmar Health Research Congress was held at the Department of Medical Research (Lower Myanmar) in Dagon Township here this morning.
A total of 15 research papers were submitted to the congress. Those present also took part in the discussions.
As part of the Technology Week Programme, Bagan Cybertech demonstrated the application of Internet in health research.
The congress concludes tomorrow.
USDA CEC member tours Shan State (North)
Yangon, 30 Jan — Central Executive Committee member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Col Tin Hlaing on 25 January formally opened organizational base camp of No 4 Aryondaw Ward, Lashio, together with a townselder. He then presented gifts to a wellwisher, organizers and members of the association.
The CEC member visited Kontha Village in Hsipaw Township and viewed renovation of clinic and sinking of tube-well undertaken by Shan State (North) USDA. Then, he met with the secretary, executives and members of Hsipaw Township USDA and social orgainzations and attended to needs.
Myanma Industrial Exhibition (2003) on 1-7 March
Yangon, 30 Jan — The Myanma Industrial Exhibition (2003) will be held on a grand scale at Hsinbyugan Grounds in Mandalay from 1 to 7 March.
Ministries, co-operative societies and private industrial entrepreneurs of various industrial zones are allowed to display products of their factories at the exhibition in addition to sales of their products at the salesrooms. Organizations, entrepreneurs and people of local and abroad will visit the exhibition.
Arrangements will be made for renting a booth, 40 feet long, 20 feet wide and 14 feet high, per K 65,000 and a salesroom per K 85,000 to the entrepreneurs.
Transport and other assistance will be provided to the entrepreneurs for their booths and salesrooms.
Those entrepreneurs who wishing to take the separate booths which would not be included in the exhibition of ministries and industrial zones may contact at the Office of the Work Committee for Organizing the Myanma Industrial Development Seminar and Industrial Exhibition, the Ministry of Industry-1; Tel: 01-566268 and 566300, the Sub-committee Office, Tel: 01-651074 and 651055; the Work Committee for Organizing the Industrial Exhibition, Hsinbyugan Grounds, Mandalay, Tel: 02-64200, for further information and register there.
Nikon D100 digital SLR camera demonstrated
Yangon, 30 Jan — Big Camera Ltd held a demonstration on Nikon D100 digital SLR camera at the Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road this afternoon. Big Camera Ltd Managing Director U Than Ngwe extended greetings and Managing Director Mor Tiwaoka of Nikon Singapore gave a speech. Then, photographer U Zaw Myint demonstrated use of Nikon D100 digital camera.
Judicial administration workshop held
Yangon, 30 Jan — A workshop on judicial administration was held at the meeting hall of the Attorney-General’s Office yesterday.
Present were Chief Justice U Aung Toe, Attorney-General U Tha Tun, Deputy Chief Justices U Than Oo and U Khin Maung Latt, Deputy Attorney-General U Khin Maung Aye, justices of the Supreme Court, directors-general and directors of the Supreme Court and Attorney-General’s Office, officials of Myanmar Police Force, Immigration and National Registration Department, General Administration Department, Bureau of Special Investigation and Prisons Department and others. At the workshop, Chief Justice U Aung Toe and Attorney-General U Tha Tun made speeches.
Deputy Minister back from ASEAN-EU meeting in Brussels
Yangon, 30 Jan — The Myanmar delegation headed by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win arrived back here by air this morning after participating in the 14th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting held in Brussels, Belgium on 27-28 January.
The 14th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting was attended by the foreign ministers, deputy ministers and responsible officials from all the countries of ASEAN and EU as well as by EU External Relations Commissioner Mr Chris Patten. The meeting discussed matters relating to cooperation between the two groupings as well as regional and international issues in the spirit of friendship, equality, understanding and cooperation.
AWB gives reception to Chinese cultural troupe
Yangon, 30 Jan — Chinese cultural troupe of International Relations Association of China in Yunnan Province, People’s Republic of China, was given a reception by Asia Wealth Bank at Traders’ Hotel here this evening. The Chinese troupe arrived here for cultual exchange, friendship and interests of the two countries.
The reception was attended by Chinese to Myanmar Mr Li Jinjun and officials, Vice- Chairman of AWB U Aik Tun and members of Board of Directors, entrepreneurs and officials of the social organizations.
First, the AWB vice-chairman and leader of the cultural troupe exchanged souvenirs. Then, AWB hosted a dinner in honour of the delegation and the cultural troupe entertained with dances and songs. The 35- member cultural troupe will give performances in Yangon and Mandalay in early February.
MICT Week continues for 10th day
Yangon, 30 Jan — The Second Myanmar ICT Week-2003 which is attracting large number of visitors continued for the 10th day at MICT Park in Hline University Campus. Booths of Ministries of Information and Education feature future tasks and technologies of ICT. It will run through February 5 with free of charge.
Drug
Yangon, 30 Jan — A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Bago Anti-Drug Squad, acting on a tip-off, searched a house of Daw Than Myint of No 64, Nyeinchanyay 3-Street, 13-Ward, and that of Daw San Wai in Toungoo on 23 May 2002 and seized 108.17 grams of opium from the latter’s house in the same compound.
In connection with the case, action was being taken against them under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by No 2 Police Station, Toungoo.
On 2 December, Toungoo District Court sentenced Daw Than Myint to life imprisonment under Section 19 (A)/23 and Daw San Wai to five years’ imprisonment under Section 15.
Community Based Drug Addicts Treatment Centre opened in Tachilek
Yangon, 30 Jan — Minister for Labour U Tin Winn and party attended the opening ceremony of the Community Based Drug Addicts Treatment Centre of Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association (Tachilek District) held at the Hokho monastery in Phanmin Village-tract, Tachilek Township, on 24 January morning.
First, the minister formally unveiled the signboard of the treatment centre. Then, the minister and party inspected round the centre and spoke words of encouragement to the patients undergoing treatments at the centre. Then, the opening ceremony continued. The minister made a speech. In his speech, he said he took pride in being able to establish the first ever self-reliant drug addict treatment centre in Myanmar. It was also a pride for the local people because the successful opening of the centre was due to the concerted efforts of Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association (Tachilek District) and the public under the supervision of Tachilek District Peace and Development Council.
He had been assigned duty to wipe out narcotic drugs in Shan State (East), and he had toured the region for four times from November 2002 to date. The Head of State had given guidance on establishing drug-free districts near the border areas — Tachilek, Myawady, and Kawthoung. The Head of State had assigned duty to him to eliminate narcotic drugs in Tachilek District ahead of the other two districts.
For the elimination of narcotic drugs in the region, it was needed to make sure that there were no cultivation of marijuana and poppy, no production of stimulant tablets, no trafficking of such narcotic drugs and no drug addicts.
He said he had learnt that Tachilek District was actively participating in anti-narcotics drive. After the formation of Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association (Central),Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association (Tachilek District) was formed ahead of others. Headmaster of Basic Education High School U Maung Tint being the chairman of the district association. Organizational and educational tasks of the association were sure to be effectively and widely carried out among the youths and in the district, he said.
To strengthen the three strategies for eradication of narcotic drugs, drug addict treatment hospitals, rehabilitation centres, associations to disseminate anti-narcotics measures and organizations to take legal actions against offenders were all equally essential. Tachilek District was complete with all the prerequisites for the successful eradication of narcotic drugs, he said.
In November 2002, the Chairman of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs and he himself visited Tachilek to carry out anti-narcotics organizational and educational tasks and prevention tasks, and set up billboards of three drug eradication slogans at ten main centres in Tachilek.
He had toured Monghsat, Mongton, Pungpahkyem before arriving in Tachilek. He said the Monghsat District Peace and Development Council Chairman had reported to him that the poppy cultivation had been reduced yearly and there had been only 66 acres of poppy plantations in Mongton Township. Over 30 acres of the poppy plantations could be destroyed by public means and the rest cultivated in the deep forest was destroyed by means of military operations by the members of the Tatmadaw. Therefore, no poppy plantation was left in Monghsat District. The minister said he was pleased to deliver such good news to the local people.
He said he believed that there would be no poppy cultivation in Tachilek District, where there was a little poppy cultivation in the past. Although there was no poppy cultivation in Tachilek and Monghsat Districts, production and trafficking of stimulant tablets were traced in the regions. Tachilek District was contiguous to the other country and accessible to Laos across the Mekong river. Stimulant tablet trafficking activities based in Ngakongmu region of Monghsat District had been traced. Stimulant tablet problem became a challenge for the eradication of narcotic drugs.
Although poppy plantations are quiet visible, stimulant tablets production could not be traced easily because they could be produced in a ten square-feet apartment or a kitchen or on a trailer of a truck. Such cases could only be exposed and crushed with information provided by the public.
In conclusion, the minister called for concerted efforts of the local people for the successful declaration of a drug-free zone, and urged them to inform the responsible officials about the suspects.
Then, Chairman of Tachilek District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aung Nyunt Thein explained that the Head of State and officials are endeavouring for drug elimination throughout the country. The opening of the newly-opened Drug Addicts Treatment Centre is to fulfil the wish of the Head of State. The treatment will be given to the drug addicts at the centre, and then similar treatments will be provided at other village-tracts in Tachilek District. Next, he thanked officials and Tachilek District Anti-Narcotics Association for their performance in building the community based drug addicts treatment centre and added that continuous efforts will be made for the drug elimination in Tachilek District.
Then, Dr Khin Maung Gyi of the Ministry of Health said that the Ministry of Health is carrying out the health education for prevention against the drug abuse, treatment to drug addicts and rehabilitation tasks. Although there were six major drug addict treatment units, 20 minor units and two rehabilitation centres before 1988, the units could not undertake their tasks effectively. After 1988, there are 26 major drug addicts treatment units, 40 minor units and two rehabilitation centres which are undertaking their tasks effectively. So far, over 300 drug addicts out of estimated over 700 have been given treatment in Shan State (East).
Drug addict treatment at the hospital is very expensive and waste of time for the patient and his family. The community based drug addict treatment is cheap and it can be performed successfully in a short time. The World Health Organization also accepted the treatment.
There are three factors in addicting to the drug such as the narcotic drug, the user and condition of the user. The drug addiction problem could not occur if any one of the three factors is lacking there would be no drug problem. The local people of other villages are to make endeavours for opening of the treatment centre as an example.
Next, Chairman of Phanmin Village-tract Peace and Development Council U Than Tun thanked departmental officials, local people and Tachilek District Anti-Narcotics Association for establishment of the drug addicts treatment centre.
After the ceremony, Minister U Tin Winn cordially conversed with those present.
Phanmin Village-tract, Tachilek Township, has over 6,000 population and over 1,200 households in 20 villages. The treatment for 20 drug addicts will be performed at the newly-opened Community Based Drug Addicts Treatment Centre within three weeks. In doing so, Phanmin Village-tract Peace and Development Council would sponsor the treatment for the drug addicts during the three weeks. Specialist Dr U Sai Kham Law and nurses of Tachilek District Health Department performed the medical treatments along with medicines free of charge.
Tachilek District Anti-Narcotics Association organized the drug addicts of villages to take medical treatment. It is the first time in the country for giving drug addict treatment.
WHO also recognized that the Community Based Drug Addicts Treatment is a cheap and effective programme. Similar treatment programmes are also undertaken at other villages in Tachilek District.
Talks on anti-narcotics held in Hline Township
Yangon, 30 Jan — Talks on anti-narcotics were held at Hline Township No 6 Basic Education Middle School here this morning.
Officials of township Law Office, township Police Force and Myanmar Anti-narcotics Association gave talks on facts about the anti-narcotics movement.It was attended by officials of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control, teachers and students.
