N980412

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
( Monday, 20 December 1999)

*******************************************************************

WHO has recognized health care services of Myanmar to be at the forefront in South-East Asia Secretary-1 attends 28th Meeting of National Health Committee
Secretary-l inspects international standard musical instruments
Donations for all-round development of historic Kyaikday Satoe Pagoda in Yemon Tatmyo
Secretary-2 inspects construction works of Hline River Bridge (Shwepyitha)
Secretary-2 attends Christmas programmes
Secretary-2 inspects poultry farm of No 11 LID
Secretary-3 inspects site for Maha Panthutheingi Pagoda in Pangsan
Minister inspects construction of Hanthawady International Airport
Chinese women delegation meets CEC members of MMCWA
45 members resign from Letpadan Township NLD
WEATHER

(1) WHO has recognized health care services of Myanmar to be at the forefront in South-East Asia Secretary-1 attends 28th Meeting of National Health Committee
YANGON, 19 Dec - The 28th Meeting of the National Health Committee took place in the meeting hall of the committee at the Ministry of Health this afternoon, addressed by Chairman of the Nationa1 Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Also present at the meeting were member ministers of the committee, the Yangon Mayor, deputy ministers, the director of medical services, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, department heads and guests.
In his address, the Secretary-1 said with respect to health care being dispensed in Myanmar, it is found that some Western big nations are quoting wrong data and figures sent by anti-Myanmar organizations, in their reports and publications with the intention of exercising pressure on Myanmar.
It is also found that organizations which do not want to see the interests of Myanmar, are also sending such data and figures to some UN agencies.
Ignoring efforts made by the Government for public health care, these organizations are attempting to mislead international community into thinking that diseases are widespread in rural areas due to lack of giving priority to health care in Myanmar, that the life expectancy of Myanmar people is getting lower as hospitals are outdated and systematic treatment can not be given and that the mortality rate of children is high.
Therefore, the Ministry of Health and ministries dealing with UN agencies need to make systematic arrangements for feeding correct data and figures related to heath care being provided in Myanmar, to international community.
The Government is using huge sums of money on building 300-bed hospitals and 200-bed hospitals and opening new specialised clinics in states and divisions, providing medicine and medical equipment, and assigning physicians at hospitals.
In accord with the guidance given by Head of State Senior General Than Shwe that the standard of health care provided in Upper Myanmar is to be on a par with that in Lower Myanmar, specialist hospitals, the traditional medicine institues and the institute of nursing have been built in Mandalay.
Next to the transport sector, the education and health sectors are allocated the largest amount of funds in Myanmar; if they are reflected with facts and figures, great improvements will be found.
Very recently, Myanmar hosted the 17th Meeting of Health Ministers of WHO South-East Asia Region. Major topics discussed at the meeting were roll back malaria, stop TB initiative, tobacco free initiative and the use of traditional medicine in health care system; it has so happened that these working I programmes have been implemented resolutely in Myanmar before.
WHO has recognized health care services of Myanmar to be at the forefront in South-East Asia; it can also be found that not only governmental organizations but also non-governmental organizations are actively taking part in health care services, taking preventive measures, giving treatment and making efforts for reducing the gap of health standard between rural and urban areas.
Since 1996, National Immunization Days activities have been launched, and it can be found that the entire national people are participating in the Five year NIDs activities as national movement and in giving polio vaccine to millions of under-five-year-old children as well as those from remote border areas.
In conclusion, the Secretary-l urged all to make efforts for extensively feeding the international community the news about providing health care services for national people of Myanmar by laying down national health plans.
Then, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Deputy Minister and Director-General of Health Planning Department reported on progress of work in implementing resolutions of the 27th National Health Committee Meeting, arrangements to purchase hospital equipment, curriculum for the diploma in traditional medicine, arrangements for compiling facts about health and Myanmar medicine, reorganization of the school health supervisory committee, arrangements for carrying out laboratory tests related to Virus C which can cause Hepatitis, the drawing of Myanmar Medical Council Law (Draft), the opening of the efficiency promoting courses for doctors and resolutions of the meeting of South-East Asian region of WHO.
Those present contributed to the discussions.
Secretary of National Health Committee Director-General of National Health Department presented the resolutions to the meeting and sought the approval of the meeting.
The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the Secretary-1.

(2) Secretary-l inspects international standard musical instruments
YANGON, 19 Dec - Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected international standard musical instruments to be used by Myanma-athan modern music band at Myanma Radio and Television this evening.
Accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt arrived at MRTV at 6 pm today.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party were welcomed by Minister for Information, Deputy Minister, managing directors and directors-general of the ministry, departmental officials and service personnel of MRTV.
Minister and officials reported to the Secretary-1 on the international standard musical instruments to be used by Myanma-athan modern music band in Studio A.
Then, Secretary- 1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected international standard musical instruments. Officials conducted the Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt around Studio A.
Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt gave instructions to officials on the maintenance of instruments, promotion of music band into international level.
Afterwards, Myanma -athan music band presented entertainment programmes to Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and guests.
Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt then inspected the functions of Myanmar Radio and Television and left there in the evening.

(3) Donations for all-round development of historic Kyaikday Satoe Pagoda in Yemon Tatmyo
YANGON, 19 Dec - A ceremony to make donations for all-round development of historic Kyaikday Satoe Pagoda was held at Sasanajotika Dhammayon of the pagoda in Yemon Tatrnya, Hlegu Township, this afternoon, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
Also present were Chief of Staff (Navy) Commodore Kyi Min, Chief of Staff ( Air), Commander of No 11 LID Brig-Gen Myint Swe, senior officers of the Ministry of Defence, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departmental officials.
The congregation received the Five Precepts from member of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sirindabhivamsa.
The Secretary-2 and party presented offertories to the members of the Sangha.
Commander of No 11 LID Brig-Gen Myint Swe reported on renovation of Kyaikday Satoe Pagoda. The Secretary-2 then gave instructions.
The Secretary:-2 and party accepted K 4.2 million donated by well-wishers.
Next, Agga Maha Pandita delivered a sermon.
The Secretary-2 and party paid obeisance to the pagoda.

(4) Secretary-2 inspects construction works of Hline River Bridge (Shwepyitha)
YANGON, 19 Dec - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, accompanied by Deputy Minister for Construction , Deputy Minister for Transport, Chief of Staff (Navy)Commodore, Chief of Staff (Air), Vice Adjutant-General, Deputy Commander of Yangon Command and officials inspected construction works of Hline River Bridge (Shwepyitha), at 4.45 pm today.
In the briefing hall, Superintending Engineer of Public Works reported on progress of work in implementing the project and Deputy Ministers and works being carried out and facts on Hline River to Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo :who attended to their needs.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo gave instructions on completion of construction works as early as possible, meeting set standard, work-site safety, the minimizing loss and wastage and welfare of project workers.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and party then inspected the construction works.
The bridge linking Hlinethaya, Insein and Shwepyitha and bearing 6ffiton vehicles is 3415 feet long with 52-foot 6 inch-wide motorway and 6-foot wide pedestrian lanes on both sides.

(5) Secretary-2 attends Christmas programmes

YANGON, 19 Dec - The Christmas entertainment programme and dinner organized by the Youth Chaplain Father Edwin David of Youth Apostolate (Yangon) were held at Kandawgyi Palace Hotel at 6.30 pm today, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
Also present on the occasion were Minister for Religious Affairs, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, Deputy Minister for Forestry, senior military officers, the director-general and the deputy director-general of Religious Affairs Department, Archbishop Gabriel T Mahn Gaby and Catholic youths, officials of Christian missionary schools, officials of religious associations and guests.
First, Minister for Religious Affairs gave a speech.
Then, Minister and Deputy Minister made speeches.
Archbishop Gabriel T Mahn Gaby and Youth Chaplain Father Edwin David blessed the gathering and hosted the dinner to the guests.

(6) Secretary-2 inspects poultry farm of No 11 LID
YANGON, 19 Dec - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo inspected the poultry farm of No 11 Light Infantry Division this afternoon and gave instructions to the officials.
The Secretary-2 and party heard a report by Division Commander on poultry farming, experiences gained in breeding poultry, profits and conditions of the farm.
The Secretary-2 gave instructions on work and inspected the farm.

At the headquarters of No 11 LID, there are 42 poultry farms, each of which can hold 3,000 birds.
To date, over 1.048 million have already been raised and 954,811 sold; the net profit we over K 11.8 million.
According to the instructions of the Ministry of Defence, plants and vegetables have been grown and are thriving at the battalions under No 11 LID.
At every battalion, mushroom is being grown on an experimental scale, and success has been achieved; moreover, cattle and pigs are also being raised.

(7) Secretary-3 inspects site for Maha Panthutheingi Pagoda in Pangsan
YANGON, 19 Dec - Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint, accompanied by Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, Minister for Science and Technology , Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation, heads of departments and officials, left here by air yesterday and arrived at Lashio Airport in northern Shan State in the afternoon.
The Secretary-3 and party were welcomed by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State North Peace and Development Council, departmental officials and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association.
The Secretary-3 and party spent the night at Shweli Yeiktha.
This morning, the Secretary-3, accompanied by Commander, paid obeisance to Maha Myatmuni Buddha Image on Zeya Hayma Hill and offered Shwethingan to the Buddha Image.
The Secretary-3 and party went to Pangsan (Pankham) Township by helicopter. They were welcomed by Officiating Tactical Operations Commander, national race leader U Pauk Yu Chan of Northern Shan State Special Region-2 and local people.
The Secretary-3 and party went to Thiri Yadana Hill in Pangsan (Pankham) Township and inspected the site for construction of 135-foot Maha Panthutheingi Pagoda which is of the same design as the Shwedagon Pagoda.

The Secretary-3 and party heard reports on design by Rector of Yangon Technological University, progress of work and work to be done. The commander gave a supplementary report on requirements.
The Secretary-3 then fulfilled the requirements.
The Secretary-3 and party went to Mitsin Hotel and discussed agriculture and transport for regional development with U Pauk Yu Chan and members.
The Secretary-3 and the commander presented gifts to U Pauk Yu Chan.
The Secretary-3 met service personnel in Pangsan (Pankham) and presented gifts to them.
The Secretary-3 and party arrived back here in the evening.

(8) Minister inspects construction of Hanthawady International Airport

YANGON, 19 Dec - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, accompanied by Deputy Minister, Director-General of Department of Civil Aviation and officials, arrived at the construction site office of Hanthawady International Airport this morning.
In the briefing hall, Superintending Engineer reported to the minister on construction of the run-way, taxi-way and apron, earth work, use of materials, Director-General on financial matters of the project and requirements for the coming year.
The minister attended to their needs.
Then, Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Deputy Minister and party inspected construction of the run-way, taxi way and apron and earth work.
The minister, the deputy minister and party inspected the scale model of Hanthawady International Airport.
Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe gave instructions to officials on the timely completion of construction work, drawing of project plan, minimizing of loss and wastage and worksite safety.

(9) Chinese women delegation meets CEC members of MMCWA
YANGON, 19 Dec - Vice-President of All China Women' s Federation Mrs Shen Shuji and goodwill delegation met Central Executive Committee members of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association at the multi-purpose building of MMCWA at the corner of Thanthuma Street and Parami Road in South-Okkalapa Township this morning.
Present on the occasion were Chairperson of MMCWA Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and EC members and officials of Chinese Embassy.
Then, Mrs Shen Shuji presented 10 computers to Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe for Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association.
Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe presented the certificate of honour.
Mrs Shen Shuji explained matters related to the donation and Daw Kyu Kyu Swe spoke words of thanks.

(10) 45 members resign from Letpadan Township NLD
YANGON, 19 Dec - Forty-five members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Letpadan Township, Bago Division.
Forty-five members of Letpadan Township NLD, Bago Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-commission and the party concerned on 21 October 1999 as they. no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.

(11) WEATHER
Maximum temperature on Dec 18 was 32.0 C (90F)
Minimum temperature on Dec 18 was 18.0 C(64F)
---------------------------------------------

______________________________________

To view with photos, please browse at - http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/