Senior General Than Shwe sends congratulations to re-elected Israeli PM
Yangon, 6 Feb — Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of congratulations to His Excellency Mr Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, who has been re-elected at the general elections of Israel.
Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt addresses opening ceremony of Third Meeting of Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy
Myanmar National Health Policy bases on Health for All goals, its prime objective to strengthen Primary Health Care in the country
At the end of January 2003, Myanmar has reached Leprosy Elimination Goal
Yangon, 6 Feb — Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Deve-lopment Council General Khin Nyunt delivered an address at the opening ceremony of the Third Meeting of Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy (GAEL) at the Sedona Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road at 8 am today.
In his address, the Secretary-1 said: I am deeply gratified to have this opportunity to deliver the opening address at the Third Meeting of Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy. This is the first time that Myanmar is hosting a Meeting of Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy and I wish to extend a most cordial welcome to all the Distinguished Participants who have come from abroad and wish them a most pleasant stay in Myanmar. Our deepest appreciation also goes to the Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy for choosing Myanmar as the venue for its Third Meeting.
Leprosy is not only a public health problem, and because of the side effects of the disease that result in deformity and disability, it also carries social stigma and economic costs to the individual and the community as well. Therefore, the World Health Organization has set a goal of eliminating leprosy in the world by 2005. Moreover, the WHO and its partners launched the Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy in 1999 to give further impetus to the fight against leprosy. At this juncture, allow me to congratulate the Global Alliance for the excellent work implemented since its inception.
The Government of Myanmar is fully committed to ensuring the highest possible standard of health as one of the fundamental rights of every citizen. In keeping with this political commitment, it has made noteworthy efforts in improving the health of the people especially for women and children and for ensuring equitable access to health care in the rural and border areas. Our National Health Policy is based on the Health for All goals and its prime objective is to strengthen Primary Health Care in our community.
Like other developing nations, Myanmar has to face a number of communicable and non-communicable diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and leprosy. Consequently, Myanmar undertook a number of disease control programmes. Myanmar health workers, with the enthusiastic support of the government and the people succeeded in controlling many devastating diseases.
I like to put on record, the importance of multi-sectoral development, mass literacy campaign, ever improving transport and communication system, improving the environment such as ecology development in Central Myanmar and environment sanitation and clean water supply system contributed to the success of our disease control efforts. The Leprosy Control Programme in Myanmar is one of those disease control programmes that have been successful in reducing the burden of disease in our country.
Myanmar was regarded as one of the countries where leprosy prevalence was very high. Soon after the independence, leprosy control was included as one of the National Health Programmes. The total number of leprosy cases was estimated in 1954-55 at around 200,000 cases in the country. However in 1973 it was estimated to be around 700,000 cases. Though this Myanmar programmes was regarded as one of the best organized and technically sound, the limitation of daps one therapy in the treatment of leprosy made further progress difficult and reducing the burden of disease problematical.
The introduction of Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT), as recommended by WHO in 1986, paved the way for Elimination of Leprosy. At the same time, integrated MDT service was expanded to more areas in the country achieving 100 per cent coverage in 1995 with the support of WHO and our partners. Under the guidance of National Health Committee and the Ministry of Health, and with the technical and financial support from WHO and our international partners, elimination activities are being carried out at grass-root level in collaboration with various local authorities and organizations. As a result of all these efforts, the Leprosy Prevalence Rate now has reduced dramatically from 39.9 in 1998 to 1.04 per 10,000 population in December, 2002. At the end of January 2003, we have reached our Leprosy Elimination Goal. In other words, the leprosy prevalence will certainly decline to less than 1 per 10,000 population in Myanmar.
Cooperation with the partners is the cornerstone of our leprosy elimination in Myanmar. Collaboration and mutual support among partners in developing a comprehensive and consistent leprosy elimination has proved to be the cornerstone of our success. This relate not only to the financial aspects of the programme but also to the technical and operational side. Let me take this opportunity to thank all our partners especially WHO, the international partners for their keen interest and cooperation. We will continue our efforts, especially in sustaining elimination and in establishing an appropriate network for the care of disabled individuals in order to minimize its health and economic consequences.
The world has seen much progress in the struggle against leprosy. But we must continue our efforts until the goal set out by WHO is reached. I am confident that the present meeting will contribute to identifying the ways to overcome the remaining challenges, through the concerted and coordinated efforts. I would like to express our sincere thanks to the organizers for their excellent arrangements. In conclusion, may I wish you all every success in your deliberations.
Then, the Secretary-1 had the documentary photo taken together with Health Ministers, Deputy Ministers, leaders of delegations from donor countries and officials of WHO.
WHO acknowledges Myanmar as leprosy, polio free nation
Yangon, 6 Feb — Executive Director of WHO Head Office Dr David Heymann said that Myanmar had arrived at the stage of a leprosy free nation; and that it could be also acknowledged as a nation that was free from polio wild virus.
Dr David Heymann was speaking at the Third Meeting of Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy in Yangon today.
He also told the delegates to the meeting that the WHO had acknowledged and honoured Myanmar’s health care activities for her successful elimination of the two diseases.The meeting began this morning at Sedona Hotel.
International Relations
Third Meeting of Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy commences
Leprosy prevalence rate in Myanmar has fallen dramatically from 39.9 per 10,000 population in 1988 to less than 1 per 10,000 population at the end of January 2003
Yangon, 6 Feb — The Third Meeting of Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy hosted by Myanmar was held at Sedona Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this morning.
First, delegation member of the Union of Myanmar Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint extended greetings.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that all of the countries gathered here, today, have made remarkable progress towards attaining the goal of eliminating leprosy as a public health problem. In Myanmar, the leprosy prevalence rate has fallen dramatically from 39.9 per 10,000 population in 1988 to less than 1 per 10,000 population at the end of January 2003. Thus we have achieved the goal of elimination of leprosy. It has taken us more than a decade to attain this goal. A significant step was taken in 1991, when the 44th World Health Assembly passed a resolution for eliminating leprosy as a public health problem, at the global level by the end of the year 2000.
With technical support from WHO, Myanmar embarked on a strategy applying public health approach, fully integrating curative services into the basic health services. With strong support and guidance from the National Health Committee, chaired by General Khin Nyunt, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council, a widespread media campaign was launched to raise public awareness on the early signs and symptoms of leprosy and the easy availability and effectiveness of Multi Drug Treatment Therapy. The misconceptions pertaining to leprosy and especially the negative image of leprosy were addressed. The community was mobilized through the concerted efforts of multi-sect oral departments, the NGOs and active participation of the community.
After attaining our goal for elimination of leprosy, we cannot be complacent. We must sustain elimination and continue to strengthen our existing health infrastructure to be able to provide leprosy services in all parts of the country. More emphasis has to be given to rehabilitation and surveillance. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the WHO for its dedicated support and technical assistance to the leprosy elimination programme in Myanmar. I would also like to thank our international partners in leprosy elimination, especially Mr Yohei Sasakawa, President of the Nippon Foundation and special Ambassador to GAEL, for his valuable support and encouragement to our leprosy elimination campaign in Myanmar. I would like to express my appreciation to the International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Association (ILEP), DANIDA Novartis Foundation, World Bank and local social organizations for elimination of leprosy for its valuable contribution and technical guidance to make elimination of leprosy possible in our country. Last but not the least our thanks to the “Novartis Foundation” for supplying us with the drugs used in the country, very liberally and without cost.
I am confident that at the end of our three-day meeting, we will be able to come up with concrete recommendations that will guide us in the future. I wish you all every success in the deliberations during this meeting and a most pleasant and enjoyable stay in Myanmar. Please take the opportunity of going around and doing some sightseeing.
On behalf of the chairman of the Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy Leader of the Brazilian delegation, Coordinator of Ministry of Health Dr Gerson Fernando Mendes Pereira made an opening address.
Afterwards, WHO SEA Regional Director Dr Uton Muchtar Rafei and special representative of the Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy Chairman of the Nippon Foundation Mr Yohei Sasakawa gave speeches.
Next, WHO Headquarters Executive Director Dr David Heymann said that Myanmar is a leprosy free nation as the leprosy prevalence rate in Myanmar has reached to less than 1 per 10,000 population of leprosy patients. WHO acknowledged Myanmar as a nation free from polio wild virus and appreciated her health care endeavours.
Then, all the participants had the documentary photo taken. Next, leaders of Nepalese and Brazilian delegations handed over duties to Myanmar delegation leader Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint as the meeting chairman and leader of the Mozambican delegation Minister of Health Dr Franisco Songane as the vice-chairman. Special Representative Mr Yohei Sasakawa reported on leprosy elimination campaign being undertaken by nations on the world.]
Afterwards, participants discussed leprosy prevalence rate in the respective countries, present works for leprosy elimination and difficulties, aims for future tasks based on their experience and requirements of global alliance for elimination of leprosy in all the countries in 2005.
The second-day session of the meeting will continue tomorrow.
In the evening, Minister for Health Prof Dr Kyaw Myint hosted a dinner in honour of the health ministers, leaders of the delegation and members at Karaweik Palace.
Information Minister receives guests
Yangon, 6 Feb — Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan received President of BTL Technology International (Holdings) Limited (Hong Kong) Mr Lam Sai Cheong and Vice-President Mr Wilfred Chan at his office this evening.
Discussions were centred on extension and upgrading of Myanmar radio and TV programmes. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Director-General of Myanma Radio and TV U Khin Maung Htay, Director-General of Information and Public Relations Department U Chit Naing, Managing Director of Printing and Publishing Enterprise U Myint Thein, Managing Director of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Tin Kha and Managing Director of Myanma Motion Picture Enterprise U Bo Kyi.
Yangon, 6 Feb — Under the supervision of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, sponsored by the Ministry of Transport and arranged by Myanmar Lotus Asia Tours Ltd, a chartered flight Lauda Air Boeing (767/300) with 65 Italian tourists aboard landed at Yangon International Airport this morning.
The tourists were welcomed there by officials of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and Myanmar Lotus Asia Tours Ltd and national race girls of cultural dance troupe of the Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services. They will visit Yangon-Bagan-Popa-Mandalay-Pindaya-Inle trip and leave here on 13 February.
Region
Four-monthly coord meeting of Ministry of Forestry held
Yangon, 6 Feb — Third four-monthly coordination meeting of the Ministry of Forestry was held today at the Forestry Department here with an address by Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone.
At the meeting the minister gave instructions on matters relating to exceeding the targets, staff welfare and achieving succeess in works. The meeting was also attended by the directors-general, managing directors and officials of the departments under the ministry.
Lessons for matric students to be telecast
Yangon, 6 Feb— With the aim of uplift of national education Electronic Data Broadcasting System was launched on 1 January 2001 after opening of learning centres at the universities, institutes, degree colleges, colleges and basic education schools.
Professors of the universities will give talks on respective lessons for students who will be taking the 2003 matriculation examination through the learning centres this month.
Myanmarsar, English and mathematics will be telecast from 10 am to 2.55 pm on 14 February; English and mathematics from 10 am to 2.55 pm on 15 February; physics, chemistry and biology from 10 am to 2.55 pm on 16 February; chemistry, biology, physics and geography from 10 am to 3.55 pm on 17 February; biology, history, economics and optional Myanmar on 18 February; economics, geography, history and optional Myanmar on 19 February. Experimental telecasting will be made from 9 to 13 February. Students are requested to watch the telecast lessons at the learning centres at the basic education schools.
Myanmar delegation a leaves for LPDR
Yangon, 6 Feb — The eight-member Myanmar delegation led by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win left here by air for the Lao People’s Democratic Republic yesterday evening to attend the Third Meeting of Myanmar-Laos Border Authorities at Central Level to be held from 6 to 8 February.
The Myanmar delegation was seen off at Yangon International Airport by Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, directors-general of the departments under the ministry and officials. The delegation comprises high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Immigration and Population, and the chairman of Tachilek District Peace and Development Council.
Yangon Division MCWASC Patron visits baby born without anus at Children's Hospital
Yangon, 6 Feb — Patron of Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for Maternal and Child Welfare Association Daw Khin Thet Htay, Chairman of Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for MCWA Head of Yangon Division Health Department Dr Thein Win Naing and party visited the baby who had no anus since birth this evening. The baby from Coco Island region was provided treatment at Yangon Children’s Hospital under the arrangements of Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for MCWA.
At 3.30 pm, Daw Khin Thet Htay and party, together with Medical Superintendent Dr Mya Thein of Yangon Children’s Hospital and Paediatrician Professor Dr Maung Maung, viewed the baby and presented gifts and snacks to the baby. Then, Medical Superintendent Dr Mya Thein reported on matters related to Children’s Hospital. Next, Daw Khin Thet Htay presented gifts and certificates of honour of Yangon Division Super-visory Committee for MCWA to Dr Mya Thein and Prof Dr Maung Maung.
The Yangon Division MCWA Supervisory Committee finds inborn invalid children and helps to give treatment to them in accord with the instructions of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (Central).
Union Day delegates from states and divisions arrive
Yangon, 6 Feb — A total of 150 delegates of traditional cultural troupes and USDA members from Kayah State, Taninthayi Division, Chin State and Rakhine State arrived here today to attend the 56th Anniversary Union Day.
The 56th Anniversary Union Day Reception and Accommodation Sub-committee Chairman Yangon Station Commander Commandant of Defence Services Records Office Brig-Gen Myo Myint , sub-committee secretary Commander of No 1 Transit Centre Lt-Col Tin Kyaing and officials welcomed them at Yangon International Airport.
Yangon, 6 Feb — The video play entitled “Ye-ma-char Myay-ma-char” will be telecast on 9 February evening on MRTV and Myawady channels. The play is directed by Khin Zaw and the cast include Nay Hsan, Phyo Ngwe Soe, Pyay Ti Oo, Pa Pa Win Khin, Pyae Sone Shin and Ei Ei.
Sport
Four Nations Invitational Boxing Tournament commences
Yangon, 6 Feb — Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint attended the opening ceremony of Four Nations Invitational Boxing Tournament held at the National Indoor Stadium-1 in Thuwunna this afternoon and extended greetings.
First, athletes of Myanmar Team-A, Myanmar Team-B and the teams of the Republic of Korea, Laos and Pakistan took the designated positions.
Then, Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint extended greetings. He said: on behalf of the government of the Union of Myanmar and also of Myanmar Olympic Committee, I would like to extend my warmest greetings, to all the participants and to everyone involved in the 4 Nations Invitational Boxing Tournament 2003.
First of all I am very pleased to welcome all participants to the Golden Land of Myanmar for this Invitational Boxing Tournament.
Boxing is one of our country’s favourite sports. We love this sport and we are proud and delighted to host this Tournament. At this moment, we are trying to uplift and promote our sports level, and this tournament will be one of our steps, for the promotion of boxing. As you may aware that, events such as this, will certainly ensure the growth and popularity of the sport throughout the country.
We believe that, through this tournament, not only the athletic abilities of the participants is developed, but even more important, a sense of fellowship and goodwill, will further strengthen the true Olympic Spirit. It would also help to promote cooperation, friendship and friendly rivalry amongst our nations.
