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State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Kuwait
Yangon, 25 Feb - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait, on the occasion of the National Day of the State of Kuwait, which falls on 25 February 2004.
Yangon, 24 Feb - The merit-sharing ceremony for newly-constructed Sasana Jotika Ordination Hall and two-storey refectory of Myole Pariyatti Monastery in conjunction with the offering of provisions to the monasteries in Lashio, Shan State (North), took place at the refectory on 22 February morning, attended by Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San. Also present on the occasion were members of the Sangha from the monasteries, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win, Members of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myat Hein, Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of North-East Command Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing, ministers, deputy ministers, senior military officers,officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, members of social organizations andlocal people.
Head of Shan State Religious Affairs Department U Tun Tun acted as master of ceremonies. Presiding Nayaka of Myole Monastery member of the State Central Working Committee of the Sangha Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Candima administered the Five Precepts to the congregation. Members of the Sangha recited the parittas. Next, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife presented offertories and eight requisites, and rice, edible oil and salt donated to the monasteries in Lashio through the Sayadaw. Daw Mya Mya San also presented robes and rice, edible oil and salt to the nunneries in the town through Chairperson of Shan State Nun Executive Committee Maha Gantha-vacaka Pandita Nun Daw Kesi of Sasana Hitakari Nunnery. The Secretary-1 and members of the State Peace and Development Council presented offertories and eight requisites, and rice, edible oil and salt to members of the Sangha. The Sayadaw of Myole Monastery delivered a sermon. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife and party shared merits gained. After the ceremony, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife performed rituals of golden and silver showers. Afterwards, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife and party offered 'soon' to members of the Sangha. Next, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party sprinkled scented water on the bronze plaque of the Sasana Ordination Hall and paid reverence to the Buddha images in the hall.
Vice-Senior General Maung Aye inspects Dokhtawady Bridge (Nawnghkio) Project
Yangon, 24 Feb - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, accompanied by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win, Members of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myat Hein, Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council (North) Commander of North-East Command Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, the ministers, the deputy ministers, senior military officers, and officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, helicoptered to the Dokhtawady Bridge (Nawnghkio) Project in Nawnghkio Township, Shan State (North) on 21 February afternoon.
They were welcomed there by Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint and officials. On the occasion, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun reported on the project; and Deputy Superintending Engineer of Special Group-14 of the Bridge Project U Hsan Win, on work progress and measures being taken for ensuring timely completion of the project. In response to the reports, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye delivered a speech, saying that among the roads that link Shan State (South) and (North) and Mandalay Division, Yaksawk-Indaw-Kyaukgu-Taungkham-Nawnghkio Road is the shortest one. The project is being implemented on the road, he said, adding that the bridge will be a small one, but efforts are to be made for ensuring a strong facility and timely completion of the project.
Vice-Senior General Maung Aye stressed the importance of upgrading strategic road sections for regional development and speedy flow of commodity. Next, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and entourage inspected the project site, and conditions of the Dokhtawady River and its environs. On completion, the 468-foot-long reinforced concrete facility will have a 28-foot-wide motorway and two three-foot-wide pedestrian lanes on each side. It will be able to withstand 60 tons of loads. In the evening, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party proceeded to Lashio by helicopter, where they were welcomed by Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Tin Ngwe, Deputy Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Hla Myint, Brig-Gen Soe Oo of Hsenwi Station, departmental personnel and local people.
Yangon, 24 Feb - Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt attended the ceremony to hand over the Bodhi sapling donated by the President of the Republic of India and to donate English version treatises for International Theravadha Buddhist Missionary University by Thitagu Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta "anissara at the University this evening.
Present on the occasion were Chancellor of Thidagu World Buddhist University ITBMU honorary professor Maha Dhamma Kathika Bahujana Hitadhara Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Agga Maha Pandita Thitagu Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta "anissara (D Litt), ITBMU Pro-rector Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Dr Bhaddanta Kumara (D Litt) and Heads of Department Sayadaws, ministers, deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, directors-general of the Religious Affairs Department and the Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana, the pro-rector (Admin) of ITBMU, officials and lay persons.
First, the ceremony was opened with the three-time recitation of Namo Tassa. Next, the Thitagu Sayadaw invested the Prime Minister and congregation with the Five Precepts. The Sayadaws and members of the Sangha recited religious verses, and the Prime Minister and party presented offertories to the monks. The Thitagu Sayadaw handed over the Bodhi sapling donated by the President of the Republic of India as a token of Dhamma gift. The Bodhi sapling was donated by the President of Republic of India for Myanmar throught the Thitagu Sayadaw while the Sayadaw was attending the International Buddhist Conference and meeting on promotion of pilgrimage held in New Delhi, India from 17 to 19 February. Then, at the treatise-donation ceremony, on behalf of the Thitagu Sayadaw, Lay person U Han handed over 1989 treatises worth 11,991,800 to Pro-rector (Admin) of ITBMU Dr Hla Pe. The Sayadaws and the Prime Minister and party next shared the merits gained, and the ceremony came to a close with the three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanam Ciram Tithatu.
Yangon, 24 Feb - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, wife Daw Mya Mya San and party paid homage to Maha Myat Muni Buddha Image on Zeya Hayma Hill in Lashio at 8.45 am on 22 February. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye donated cash and offered gold foils to the image.
He then signed in the visitors' book.Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, wife and party went to Tiloka Vijaya Hsutaungpyi Pagoda on Yaykan Hill and paid homage to the pagoda. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife made cash donations to the funds of the pagoda. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party also signed in the visitors' book.
Yangon, 24 Feb - The 49th Nursing Conference of the Myanmar Nurses Association was opened this morning at the Institute of Nursing here with an opening address by Chairman of the National Health Committee Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt. Also present on the occasion were Vice-Chairmen of the committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win and Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, the ministers, the Yangon mayor, the deputy ministers, members of the committee, departmental officials, officials and residence representatives of the organizations under the UN, officials of the social organizations, the directors-general, deputy directors-general, rectors, directors, medical superintendents under the Ministry of Health, the principals of the nursing schools in Yangon and lecturers, Chairperson of the Myanmar Nurses Association (Central) Daw E Barbro and committee members, members of the MNA and guests. Next, Prime Minster gave an address. He said the MNA has been steadfastly standing as an organization working in the interest of the people for 56 years till now since it was founded in 1948. And it is a pride worthy to be taken by every member as well as the MNA itself. From the world-class hospitals to rural health centres, it has been playing a leading role in conducting health care services for people of all walks of life in the entire nation, organizing nurses, midwives and health assistants as a single united national force.
At present, endeavours are being made through self-reliant efforts, and with the strength that lies within, to build a modern and developed nation for the progress and prosperity of the people and the nation to stand shoulder to shoulder other world nations. In this regard, the Government has been further raising the health standard of the nation for the health and fitness of the entire people and enabling them to take part in the national development endeavours with full strength and enjoy the fruits of progress with peace of mind. The Government has been laying down and implementing the national health projects to raise the health standard of the whole nation. It has been extending the primary health care services to reach all the remote areas including the border regions and to narrow the health gap between the rural and the urban areas. Thus, the nurses, midwives and health assistants working at the places from major cities to rural areas play a key role in the Government's endeavours to extend health care services till covering the entire nation. Moreover, nurses are discharging the most basic duties of the health sector as they are closely assisting the physicians, and practically conducting the treatment and rehabilitation services. As the State has acknowledged nurses, midwives and health assistants as the most basic forces of the health sector, it has been making arrangements for producing more nurses, midwives and health assistants, enhancing their skills, enabling them to pursue further studies and assigning them at higher level posts. In the past there were seven nurses training schools and 15 midwifery training schools.
Now there are three nursing universities - Defence Services Institute of Nursing, Yangon Institute of Nursing and Mandalay Institute of Nursing Ñ 23 nurses training schools and 20 midwifery training schools. In 1988, there were over 8,300 nurses and 8,100 midwives. Now there are over 15,400 nurses and 14,000 midwives in the nation. At present, there are over 400 dispensaries, over 1,400 rural health centres and over 80 regional health units. In the past there were 240 dispensaries, over 1,300 rural health centres and over 60 regional health units. Moreover, the Government has been conducting nursing diploma courses, BNSc degree courses, MNSc degree courses and PhD courses for the nurses. In addition, seven Myanmar nurses got the PhD degree at Latrobe University in Australia. Eight nurses got masters degree through distance education courses from the university.
Thus, the State has paved the way for and is giving encouragement to is the nurses to get access to higher learning. He said the number of highly-qualified nurses and special nurses have increased. Achievements have also been made in Myanma medical history. It is heartening to learn that nurses participated in significant operations such as kidney transplant, open hear surgery, conjoined twins, replantation of a crushed arm by hand micro surgery method and cleft lips and cleft palate. He said they also took part in the tasks for eradication of diseases of smallpox, leprosy, trachoma, iodine deficiency and polio and preventive measures on health hazard as the mass movement. He said the nurses are actively participating in health care services such as maternal and child care, school health activities, malnutrition, environment and on-job health care, tobacco free activities, care for elderly people, sanitation and pure water supply and national poison control work in cooperation with other social organizations. With their active participation of the nurses, midwives and health assistants in public health care services, they will be an important force in realization of the health objectives of the State, he added.
He said their active performances much contribute towards the success of five rural development tasks and their correct education and systematic prevention create better foundations on health - high knowledge on health, potable water and practice of healthy living and clean surroundings. Health standard of rural people will improve, he added. He said the government has assigned noble and extensive duties of health care services to the nurses, midwives and health assistants with trust. With this knowledge, they are to make efforts for improvement of health standard of rural people with goodwill, he said. They can also be proud of their noble tasks and they are to win loving kindness of the people, he added. Better foundations for development of nursing sector in Myanmar have been achieved in combination with the government's encouragement and nurses' efforts.
He urged veteran nurses of Myanmar Nurses Association to enhance efficiency of the nurses, to utilize their ability in the interest of the people and to turn out brilliant human resources continuously. He urged the nurses, midwives and health assistants to try to become good ones as a consolidated force under the banner of Myanma Nurses Association. In conclusion, he urged them to strive for uplift of national health standard as a brilliant, highly-qualified force, to take care of the people tenderly and warmly, to work hard under the banners of the association in accordance with its objectives and to take part in the tasks for implementation of the seven-point future programme of the State that can shape perpetuation of the Union, national solidarity and building of a peaceful, modern discipline-flourishing democratic nation. After the ceremony, the Prime Minister and party viewed round booths of documentary photos on public health care services given by the MNA (Central) and its branch (Southern Shan State).
Region
Third four-monthly meeting of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council held
Yangon, 25 Feb - Yangon Division Peace and Development Council held the third four-monthly meeting this morning at conference hall of Yangon Command. Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe addressed the meeting. Present at the meeting were Yangon Division PDC Secretary Lt-Col Myint Kyi and members, divisional departmental officials, chairmen of district and township PDCs and officials. Addressing the meeting, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe stressed the need for respective local authorities and departmental officials in Yangon to implement the targeted work projects of 14 sectors such as agriculture, industry and meat and fish. They also need to make efforts for exceeding the targets, he said. Only when the value of GDP of the projects is on the increase, will the economy of the State go up, he added. That is why officials concerned are to endeavour for successful implementation of their sector-wise projects. Next, Head of Divisional Planning Department U Shwe reported on matters relating to implementation of the annual projects and the values of GDP for fiscal 2003-2004; Divisional Agriculture Supervisory Committee Manager U Aung Hsan on measures being taken by four means and ways for exceeding the target of agriculture sector, paddy cultivation, and project implementation on irrigation facilities; and Commander of Myanmar Police Force (Yangon) Police Col Aung Daing on measures being taken for the rule of law and reduction of crimes in Yangon Division. After that, those present at the meeting also participated in the discussions, and reported on their respective tasks. Later, the commander fulfilled the needs and made concluding remarks.
Commander inspects hostels of Armed Forces Day Parade columns
Yangon, 24 Feb - Chairman of the Management Committee for Observance of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe inspected the hostels where the columns that will participate in the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Parade are putting up this afternoon. The commander arrived at the local battalion in South Okkalapa Township where Aung San Column is putting up.
The commander was welcomed there by 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Parade Commander Brig-Gen Min Thein, Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Col Wai Lwin, No 2 Military Region Commander Brig-Gen Myo Myint, Commander of Aung San Column Col Maung Maung Than and officials. Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe inspected the drills of Tatmadaw members, members of Myanmar Police Force, Auxiliary Fire Brigade and Red Cross Society of Aung San Column, and gave instructions on ensuring betterment of the drill, health and fitness of the participants, and efforts to be made in unison abiding by the rules and regulations in practising drill. Next, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe viewed round hostels, mess, ration store, documentary photos and publications, and shops for Aung San Column. Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe also inspected the hostels of Nawaday Column, clinic, mess, ration store, and documentary photos and publications in Ayeyawady Naval Region Command. The commander looked into the drills of the column and left instructions on preparing meals in hygienic conditions, sanitation tasks and systematic practising of drills.
Minister inspects Tyre and Rubber Factory in Thaton
Yangon, 24 Feb - Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin inspected production process at No 1 Tyre and Rubber Factory in Thaton Township, Mon State, on 21 February. Managing Director of Myanma Tyre and Rubber Industries U Oo Zun and Factory Manager U Myint Naing conducted the minister round the factory. The minister gave instructions on installation of new machines, meeting the production target and ensuring fine quality of the products. On 22 February morning, the minister held a meeting with the staff. On the occasion, the minister dealt with production in 2003-2004 fiscal year, future plans for meeting the target, and growing the rubber trees in the compound of the factory. The managing director reported on work done for meeting the target and progress in installation of the machines to the factory. The minister gave necessary instructions and attended to the needs.
Industry-1 Minister inspects cigarette factory
Yangon, 24 Feb - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, together with Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Thein Tun and Brig-Gen Kyaw Win, arrived at No 1 cigarette factory of Myanmar Foodstuff Industries on Thukha Road in Ward-8, Hline Township this morning. First, the minister and party inspected storage of tobacco and gave instructions on measures to be taken for prevention of fire and systematic storage of tobacco. They next viewed round the production line at the factory. Afterwards, the minister met with officials at the briefing hall of the factory and gave instructions on carrying out the tasks according to the rules and regulations laid down by the ministry, replacing the old machines with new ones and making trips to regions such as Pakokku, Pauk and Langhkio to collect import-substitute quality tobacco. Later, the minister and deputy ministers visited Win Thuza Shop in Hline township and inspected sales of goods.
Fisheries undertakings clarified
Yangon, 24 Feb - A meeting was held to clarify fishing undertakings under the Fishing Rights of Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries was held at the meeting hall of FD on Hsinmin Road, Ahlon Township this morning. Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein attended the meeting and clarified matters related to fishing undertakings under the Fishing Rights. Next, Director-General of FD U Than Tun assessed work requirement presented by officials of Sea Security Control Committee and officials of Marine Administration Department, Customs Department, Myanma Ports Authority and Immigration and National Registration Department. The meeting ended with the concluding remarks by Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein.
Entries invited for Armed Forces Day commemorative colour photo contest
Yangon, 24 Feb - The 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commemorative Literary and Photo Contests Organizing Committee today announced that it will conduct a colour photo contest. The two tittles for the contests are ' Developing and Pleasant Myanmar ' and ' Preserve Cultural Heritage'. The contestants may send four 10" x 12" print photos for each contest. Those who have won first to third prizes in the previous contests will be categorized into a separate group. If an entry wins a prize, its negative is to be submitted. Data and captions are to be written on a separate sheet. If there is a model, his or her permission is required. An entry is not to have been published before in any publications and it must not be a prize-winning work at home or abroad. Digital camera photos are not allowed. First to third prizes will be presented in Yangon on 27-3-2004, and consolation prizes at the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commemorative ceremonies to be held at respective commands. Entries are to be sent to U Tun Min, Director of the Information and Public Relations Department on Pansodan Street, by 29 February.
Women's Affairs
ICPD+10 Advocacy and Alliance Building Workshop held
Yangon, 24 Feb - The ICPD+10 Advocacy and Alliance Building Workshop jointly sponsored by Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPE) was opened at the meeting hall of MMCWA at the corner of Thanthumar and Parami Road in South Okkalapa Township this morning. It was attended by MMCWA President Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Vice-President Dr Tin Linn Myint and CEC members, patrons of the MMCWA Central Supervisory Committee, Patron of Yangon Division Maternal and Child Welfare Supervisory Committee Daw Khin Thet Htay, representatives of UN agencies and officials, the secretaries of state and division Maternal and Child Welfare Supervisory Committees, officials of Health Department and Population Department.
First, MMCWA President Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe made an opening speech. Next, Representative of UNFPA Mr Rajib M Assifi explained matters related to holding of the workshop. Next, the workshop continued. The workshop focused on measures taken in ten-year period in Myanmar by the respective organizations over the work programmes laid down at International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo, Egypt in 1994. The workshop will also seek ways and means to be applied in taking measures in coming ten-year period. The workshop continues tomorrow.
