nlmapr08

HOME
ARCHIVES	Saturday, 19 April 2008	THE MYANMAR TIMES

Senior General Than Shwe, wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing attend merit sharing ceremony for opening of Jivitadana Sangha Hospital ( Mandalay )

Nay Pyi Taw, 18 April - The merit sharing ceremony for opening of Jivitadana Sangha Hospital ( Mandalay ) built on Kan-dawgyi Lake Ring Road in Chanmyathazi Township , Mandalay Division was held at the Mingalar Pandal in the compound of the hospital this morning.

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 ceremony and offered provisions to members of the Sangha. It was also attended by State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, member Sayadaws of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, State Central Working Committee of the Sangha and Division Sangha Nayaka Committee and Ovadacariya Sayadaws of Jivitadana Sangha Hospital (Mandalay) and invited Sayadaws, Member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann, Secreatry-1 of the SPDC Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, members of the SPDC Lt-Gen Maung Bo, Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe and Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein, Maj-Gen Khin Zaw of the Ministry of Defence, Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung, Chairman of Mandalay Division PDC Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Tin Ngwe, Chairman of Sagaing Division PDC Commander of North-West Command Brig-Gen Myint Soe, the ministers, senior military officers, the deputy ministers, the Mandalay Mayor, departmental heads of the SPDC Office and the ministries, Division/District/Township level officials in Mandalay and Sagaing Divisions, the chairman of management committee of the hospital and members, the medical superintendent of the hospital and specialists, doctors, nurses, townselders and well-wishers.

Staff Officer of the Religious Affairs Department Saddhamma Jotikadhaja U Thura acted as master of ceremonies and read out the meeting agenda.

Next, Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and the congregation received the Five Precepts from State Ovadacariya Shwegyin Sangharaja Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Agghiya of Maha Withudayon Taikthit Waso Monastery.

In his supplication, the Secretary-1 said that the Lord Buddha allowed members of the Sangha to accept four kinds of donations such as ?soon', robes, monasteries and medicines. In addition to giving advice to the disciples for providing medical treatment, the Lord Buddha Himself gave treatments to a monk patient. Indeed, the disciples who treated the ailing members of the Sangha can obtain the merits with the equal term of providing medical treatment to the Lord Buddha.

He added that members of the Sangha will be guilty of breaking the Vinaya rules if they sleep with lay persons at the same building under single shelter. Hence, the Vinaya Garuka Sayadaws gave advice to build the hospital for the Sangha separately. On the inspection tour of PyinOoLwin in April 2007, Head of State Senior General Than Shwe heard reports presented by the Commander of Central Command on situation of providing health care services to members of the Sangha and nuns at Sangha Hospital in Mandalay similar to that of Yangon, Mandalay , Sagaing and Taunggyi. The commander reported that a Sangha hospital (40-bed) built by local wellwishers is giving medical treatment to the monks in Mandalay . The present Sangha hospital is located on 7 acres of land, and it is difficult to extend the area. The hospital is providing health care services to 200 out-patient monks in minimum and 500 in maximum and from four to over 60 in-patient monks daily. There are over 44,000 members of the Sangha and over 3,400 nuns in Mandalay , over 5,000 monks and over 300 nuns in Amarapura, over 5,700 monks and over 5,000 nuns in Sagaing. About 113,000 monks and over 6,300 nuns are residing in Mandalay Division and 53,400 monks and 7,500 nuns in Sagaing Division.

Under the guidance of the Head of State, we are assigned duty to draw the scale models of hospitals and to choose the sites of 40 acres for the construction of Parahita Sangha hospitals including in-patient wards to care for and provide treatment to about 200 monks and 50 nuns in addition to the present Sangha hospital (40-bed). Therefore, the commander chose this site being surrounded by healthy environment and nearby Sagaing, Mandalay and Amarapura and submitted the area to the Head of State, who made field trip to the site and approved it.

Under the super-vision of the commander of the Central Command, the Mandalay Jivitadana Sangha Hospital was built with the contribution made by departments concerned, Mandalay City Development Committee, townselders and well- wishers. The Head of State made arrangements for building of the hospital to provide health care services for the monks who can have difficulties in receiving medical treatment in the people's hospitals.

In addition to the monks and the nuns of Mandalay and Sagaing regions, those from upper Myanmar can receive medical treatment of the specialists at the Jivitadana Sangha Hospital in line with Vinaya rules.

Land preparations and construction tasks of the hospital commenced in July 2007. The departments of concerned and local people provided necessary assistance for construction of the hospital with goodwill. The construction contract was given to Eden Group of Companies to build the hospital. The construction company started construction tasks on 10 July 2007 and it made efforts for completion of the tasks on 31 March 2008. In its tasks, the construction company built 14 medical wards and other supporting offices including the administration office, the monks' out-patient ward, the nuns' out-patient ward, five 36-bed monk patient wards, two 25-bed monk patient wards, two 36-bed nun patient wards and one 25-bed nun patient ward, the operation theatres, the intensive care units and the laboratories for the monks and the nuns. At the same time, about 250 in-patient monks and 100 nuns can be warded at Jivitadana Sangha Hospital ( Mandalay ). In addition, the hospital was equipped with office furniture, hospital equipment, water and power supply, medical equipment as much as possible. Furthermore, local retired surgeons and specialists will provide health care services to the patients on schedules. To maintain the hospital for its durability, the Group of Ovadacariya Sayadaws and the Hospital Board of Trustees comprising the Chairman of Mandalay Division PDC, the Mandalay Mayor and townselders have been formed for supervising the tasks of the hospital in providing health care services to the monks and nuns. Moreover, the management committee, the work committees and the subcommittees have been set up to run the tasks of the hospital systematically. Upholding the advice of the Sayadaws, the local wellwishers will contribute to the hospital for its durability. The departments concerned and people were invited to donate cash and kind to the funds of the hospital for its expenses. At present, the cash donated by departments, wellwishers and entrepreneurs were set up as the trust-funds of the hospital, and ar-rangements are being made for use of the funds in line with the financial rules and regulations. In conclusion, he briefly supplicated on the management and participation of the departments and local people in establishment of the hospital to provide health care services to the monks and nuns in accord with the goodwill of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe. Later, he urged local people and entrepreneurs to maintain the hospital for its durability with cash and kind donations. Mandalay Division Sangha Nayaka Committee Chairman Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Shwewahwin Kyaung Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sasanabhivamsa of Myataung Monastery gave Sammodaniya Saraniya Ovadakahta. Mayor Brig-Gen Phone Zaw Han handed over documents related to the land of the hospital and Eden Group of Companies Managing Director U Chit Khaing, documents related to the building of the hospital to Jivitadana Sangha General Hospital (Man-dalay) Management Committee Chairman retired medical su-perintendent Dr U Ko Lay. Next, Financial Committee Chairman U Maung Ko of Htawara Company accepted cash donated by local people of Mandalay through U Sein Myint (Donbyan Flour Mill) and cash donated by other wellwishers through Managing Director U Chit Khaing.

Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing donated alms to members of the Sangha led by State Ovadacariya Shwegyin Sangharaja Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Maha Withokdayon Taikthit Waso Kyaung Sayadaw Bhaddanta Agghiya. General Thura Shwe Mann, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, SPDC members, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, the commanders and the ministers offered provisions to members of the Sangha.

Chancellor of Sagaing Sitagu In-ternational Buddhist Academy Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Maha Dhammakahtika Bahujanahitadhara Dr Bhaddanta Nanissara delivered a sermon. Senior General Than Shwe, wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and party together with the congregation shared merits gained.

Next, the Senior General and wife and party offered ?soon' to members of the Sangha. After the ceremony, the Senior General and party inspected the hospital and cordially conversed with officials, wellwishers, doctors and nurses.

Before sharing the merits gained, the ceremony to unveil the bronze plaque of the hospital was held at the administration office. Officials unveiled the bronze plaque and the emblem of the hospital. Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, SPDC member Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung and Mayor Brig-Gen Phone Zaw Han sprinkled scented water on the bronze plaque. Jivitadana Sangha Hospital ( Mandalay ) was built on 39.84 acres of land in front of Pyigyimon decorated barge on Kandawgyi Lake ring road in Mandalay .

Commission for Holding Referendum meets sub-commissions in Shan State (East), Chin State

NAY PYI TAW, 18 April - The Commission for Holding Referendum held meetings with members of sub-commissions of Shan State (East) and Chin State, District, Township, Ward and Village- tract on 10 and 11 April.

At the city hall in Kengtung on 11 April, the Commission for Holding Referendum met with subcommission members of Shan State (East), District, Township, Ward and Village- tract. It was attended by Commission members U Sai Yi and U Ahlal, Chairman of Shan State (East) Sub-commission U Mya Aung and party, subcommission members of District, Township, Ward and Village-tract, those in charge of the polling booths and members.

C o m m i s s i o n members U Sai Yi and U Ahlal and Chairman of Shan State (East) Sub-commission U Mya Aung gave speeches. The Chairman of Shan State (East) Sub-commission replied to the queries raised by those present.

At the city hall in Haka on 10 April, Commission member U Tin Aye delivered an address at the meeting with members of the sub-commissions at different levels in Chin State . Chairman of Chin State Sub-commission U Tin Myint reported on seeking approval for the draft constitution, the Referendum Law and Rules. Commission member U Tin Aye replied to the questions raised by those present.

Commission members U Tin Aye, U Saw Win Aung and Dr Hmu Htan and party inspected the sample of polling station and process of casting vote at Chin Usee Basic Education Primary School in Zaythit Ward of Haka. The book ?State Constitution (Draft)' can be studied at the libraries of Township Information and Public Relations Departments across the nation, the libraries under the Ministry of Culture, libraries of universities, colleges and institutes, and copies are available now at the bookstalls of News and Periodicals Enterprise, Sarpay Beikman Book Centre, and private book shops.

Yangon, 18 April - People in Mandalay performed meritorious deeds at pagodas in Mandalay yesterday (Myanmar New Year Day).

Members of the Sangha recited Parittas on streets and wards and people set fish and birds free and paid respects to aged people in Mandalay .

Families of officers and other ranks of the Central Command released 100,000 fish into the moat.

Members of the Sangha recited Parittas at the City Hall and Chairman of the Mandalay City Development Committee Mayor Brig-Gen Phone Zaw Han and officials set free 1,000 birds and release 90,000 fish into the moat. They also poured Paritta water into the tank of Malun Water Supply Station.

Nay Pyi Taw, 18 April-The Myanmar Delegation led by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Thu arrived back here after attending the Bilateral Consultation Meeting between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar and the Lao People's Democratic Republic from 10 to 16 April 2008 in Vientiane and Luang Prabang at the invitation of Mr Bounkeut Sangsomsak, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Held on 11 April 2008, the meeting covered matters on bilateral cooperation sector-wise, and both sides - Myanmar and Laos-reviewed pro-gress of previous cooperation and explored ways and means to enhance cooperation in the future.

In Vientiane , the Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister paid a courtesy call on Dr Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR.

The Myanmar delegation also visited Luang Prabang where they participated in the Lao Traditional Water Festival, studied Tourism Promotion and discussed designation of the sister cities between Bagan , Myanmar , and Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, with the Laotian officials concerned.

The Deputy Minister paid courtesy calls on Mr Thongsing Thammavong, President of the National Assembly and Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister of the Lao PDR.

The Myanmar Delegation led by Deputy Minister U Kyaw Thu returned to Myanmar on 16 April 2008. He was accompanied by U Naing Htoon, Assistant Director of Political Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Nay Pyi Taw, 12 April-Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Hla Htay Win attended the ceremony to harvest summer paddy and to grow first monsoon paddy at 25-acre model farm of Farmer U Aung Lwin in Thanatpyin Village of Hlegu Township on 11 April.

First, Chairman of Hlegu Township PDC U Phone Myat Thu and officials reported on harvesting of summer paddy and growing of monsoon paddy in the township, agricultural methods and advantages and benefit of the use of modern farm equipment to the commander.

Afterwards, the commander and party looked into thriving summer paddy, harvesting summer paddy with the use of bio-ethanol-run harvesters, ploughing first monsoon paddy with the use of Leya-16, 12 and 22 and power tillers and broadcasting natural fertilizer.

Yangon, 18 April - CEC member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (Yangon Division Incharge) Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin inspected upgrading of Thumalar road being implemented under the leadership of North Okkalapa USDA in Ward 2 of the township this morning and fulfilled the requirements.

Thumalar road which links to Artherwady and Thuzita roads is an important one for the ward. Upon completion, it will be 1,650 feet long, 12 feet wide and people can have access to smooth transportation.