( 1 ) NHC Chairman calls for efforts to improve standard of dental medicine, provide increased oral and dental health care

21st Myanmar Dental Surgeon Conference opens

Yangon, 24 Jan-The opening of the 21st Myanmar Dental Surgeon Conference and the second joint meeting of World Dental Federation (FDI) and Myanmar Dental Association was held at Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road this morning, attended by Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were the ministers, the mayor, members of National Health Committee, the deputy ministers, the officials of the State Peace and Development Council, the directors-general of departments under the Ministry of Health, the rectors, Chairman of Myanmar Dental and Oral Council and members, resident representatives of UN Agencies, presidents and officials of MDA, Myanmar Medical Association, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Myanmar Red Cross Society and FDI, guests, delegates and well-wishers.

The Secretary-1 said a consolidated dental surgeon association is a national force on which the government relies for national development at a time when the government has been making endeavours for promotion of national health standard and widening of public health care service.

He welcomed the holding of the second joint meeting of MDA and FDI at a time when the Union of Myanmar is promoting international cooperation to keep abreast with international developments in intellectual and technological fields. Now, he said, the State Peace and Development Council is making efforts on self-reliance basis for national development with the strength of national forces and it also fulfils health and fitness of the citizens as a national requirement. He said health and fitness of the citizens effectively enhance the momentum of national development and total enjoyment of social happiness reflects progress of the nation. After laying down the National Health Plans, systematic arrangements are under way for raising the health standard of the people, he added.

He stressed the importance of oral health from childhood to adult, dental diseases control and treatment, modern equipment, potent medicines, public emphasis on oral disease prevention and implementation of Primary Oral Health Care Project of Community Health Care Programme. There is shortage of dental surgeons when compared with the ratio of the population. Therefore primary oral health care project is being implemented after nurturing primary health workers, he said. Dental surgeons of MDA branches in states and divisions and private dental surgeons are actively participating in the project being implemented in 57 townships under the supervision of MDA. The Secretary-1 urged the dental surgeons to continue to take part in the project as a national task in the entire nation.

He went on to say that the government has been making arrangements for producing dental surgeons and improvement of dental medicine. He said another Institute of Dental Medicine was opened in Mandalay. By doing so, more oral disease prevention and treatment could be carried out and the ratio of dental surgeons and the population would become narrower as dental surgeons will be produced two folds.

He spoke at length on implementation of the special four-year project for promotion of national education in accord with the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, opening of modern teaching and learning centres at the Institutes of Dental Medicine, M.D.Sc course and one year diploma in dental medicine, sending of dental delegations to international workshops to gain experience and opportunity to exchange medical research and experience between international dental bodies and MDA.

As eminent dental surgeons are also members of the Myanmar Academy of Medical Science, they can give suggestions and participate in the tasks for expansion and modernization of medical training and education, treatment, prevention and research covered by the master plan for upgrading the national health standard, and providing extensive and effective public health care. As the government is providing all-out support for development of dental medicine and public dental health care services, the standard of dental medicine and public oral health have improved, he noted. The government is also giving support and encouragement to the Myanmar Dental Association, led by eminent dental surgeons, to emerge as a consolidated and reliable national force.

With the government's encouragement and support, the Myanmar Dental Association is today striving for development of dental medical field, increased dental medical care for the public and career development of the association members. Today, the Myanmar Dental Association is working in cooperation with the World Dental Federation (FDI), and it observed the 100th anniversary of FDI in 2000 as in many other countries, and was able to organize the First FDI-MDA Meeting in conjunction with the MDA's 20th Conference. The flourishing of the cooperation with FDI resulted in the FDI's recognition of Myanmar on its map in the year 2000.

As the first step in endeavouring for enumerating the dental and oral health census all over the country, the MDA and the Japan Association of International Cooperation for Oral Health cooperated and collected provincial data in Kyauktan Township as well as carried out emergency treatment. The MDA, he said, is also launching the weekly medical care field tour, taking care of oral health of the families of the regiments and units of Yangon Station and Mingaladon Station, registering to have treated over 3,600 and provided oral health education to over 10,000 in 82 regiments and units within a period of two months. Continuing, the Secretary-1 spoke of the MDA's efforts to publish career-related journals and books for continuing education, manuals for doctors and pamphlets for patients in prevention and control of AIDS, organize seminars and talks and provide training on modern equipment and new treatment methods.

The MDA, he said, is also constantly studying the changes and developments in the field of dental medicine in cooperation with the related international organizations in endeavouring for development of the standard of dental medicine in Myanmar. The Secretary-1 underscored the need for the MDA to continue striving to achieve greater progress in its efforts and cater to public dental and oral health more effectively, expand public oral and dental health knowledge and treatment and promote public health education tasks. As the proper oral and dental hygiene should be practised in schools, the MDA is also duty bound to develop the system at schools properly, he said.

He also stressed the need to cooperate with the private entrepreneurs to acquire modern medicines and equipment, and treatment methods in time to be able to live up to the international standard, and plan the dental and oral health scheme to cope with national standard and to bring benefits to majority of people living in rural areas, and to preserve and promote traditional medical methods for oral and dental health blended with the Western medicine.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged all dental surgeons to strive their utmost in their respective role for uplift of health and fitness of the entire nation, to stand as a nation-building association providing reliable public oral and dental health care, to strive for improvement of the standard of dental medicine providing increased oral and dental health care, to launch dental and oral health care scheme at schools and villages all over the country, and to try to keep up with the international standard.

The Secretary-1 accepted K 850,000 worth dental chair and related equipment donated for Zigon Township People's Hospital and K200,000 for construction of the MDA building by MDA member Dr Aye Kywe, K250,000 worth air-conditioner for the Zigon Township People's Hospital and K 250,000 worth sterilizer for the Institute of Dental Medicine (Yangon) by MDA member Dr Nyunt Hlaing, K100,000 towards the stipend funds of the students of the Institutes of Dental Medicine and K100,000 for MDA by member Dr Hla Win. Other donations included K 100,000 toward the stipend funds for the students of the Institutes of Dental Medicine and K 50,000 for MDA by Dr Myint Sein, K100,000 toward the funds for paying homage to the aged dental surgeons by Dr Htay Hlaing, K 100,000 for MDA by Dr Myo Ma, K 50,000 for Myanmar Dental and Oral Council and K 50,000 for MDA by Dr Mya Mya Aye, and K 150,000 worth air-conditioner for MDA by U Than Win of Win Trading Co Ltd. Patron of MDA Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein formally opened the Dental Medicine and Equipment Exhibition. The Secretary-1, ministers and party later went round in the exhibition. 

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( 2 )  Myanmar Dental Surgeon Conference held

Yangon, 24 Jan-The 21st Myanmar Dental Surgeon Conference was held in conjunction with the second joint meeting between World Dental Federation (FDI) and Myanmar Dental Association, at Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road here this morning. Chairman of MDA Professor Dr Ba Myint and Representative of FDI Dr Raj K Raja Rayan made speeches on the occasion.

Then, Chairman of Reception Committee Professor Dr Thein Htut extended greetings and master of ceremonies Dr Htay Myint Oo read out a message sent by Myanmar Medical Association. General Secretary Professor Dr Myo Win and Treasurer Dr Aye Aye Cho presented the report of executives and the financial report. Next, dental surgeons paid respects to aged dental surgeons. The dental surgeons then presented papers after which the meeting came to a close. Booths of dental medicines and medical equipment were opened. The paper reading session continues till 27 January.

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( 3 ) Myanmar cultural delegation leaves for India

Yangon, 24 Jan-At the invitation of Minister of Tourism and Culture of India Mr Shri Ananth Kumar, a four-member delegation led by Minister for Culture U Win Sein left here for India by air this morning to attend the signing ceremony on cultural cooperation between Myanmar and India. The delegation was seen off at Yangon International Airport by Minister for  Cooperatives U Aung San, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Indian Ambassador Mr Shyam Saran, officials of the Ministry of Culture and family members of the delegation .

The delegation comprises Director-General of Department of Archaeology U Nyunt Han, Rector of University of Culture (Yangon) U Tin Soe and Rector of University of Culture (Mandalay) U Sann Win.

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( 4 ) Measures for Union Day Flag-hoisting coordinated

Yangon, 24 Jan-The coordination meeting of Decoration Committee, Messing Committee and Entertainment Committee under the 54th Anniversary Union Day Flag-hoisting Ceremony Management Sub-Committee took place at Meeting Hall-3 of City Hall of Yangon City Development Committee this morning. Chairman of Decoration Committee, Messing Committee and Entertainment Committee under the 54th Anniversary Union Day Flag-hoisting Ceremony Management Sub-Committee Joint-Secretary of YCDC U Kyi Win made an opening speech. Then, Deputy Head of Engineering Department (Buildings) Maj Khin Nyein reported on decoration, Head of YCDC Administration Department U Myint Swe on messing, and Deputy Head of YCDC Public Relations and Information Department U Soe Win and Deputy Director of Motion Picture Enterprise U Myint Thein Pe on entertainment. This was followed by a general round of discussions.

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( 5 ) Reminder to contestants of literary and photo competitions

Yangon, 24 Jan- The Work Committee for Organizing the 56th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commemorative Literary and Photo Competitions has already announced that novel, short story and article competitions will be held. The committee today issued a reminder to the contestants to send entries to U Ko Ko Htwe, Secretary of Work Committee for the Competitions, Myanma Radio and Television, Pyay Road, Yangon, not later than 31 January 2001.

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( 6 ) Students of Naunghtao Region, Hsihseng Township, tour Yangon

Yangon, 24 Jan-A total of 51 students from Affiliated Basic Education High School of Naunghtao Region, Hsihseng Township, Shan State (South), together with Assistant Director of Border Areas and National Races Development Department Capt Win Maung and officials, toured Yangon this morning.

They were on an excursion in Yangon at the invitation of the Border Areas and National Races Development Work Committee Chairman State Peace and Development Council Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.First, they visited the Shwedagon Pagoda at 7 am, and U Thein Zaw of the Pagoda Board of Trustees explained the history of the Pagoda. They made cash donations to it.They later visited the Buddhology Museum and donated cash. Afterwards, they visited the Maha Wizaya Pagoda where they were briefed on the history of the pagoda by Head of Office of the Pagoda Board of Trustees U Aung Kyap. They also donated cash there. In the afternoon, they visited Agricultural Museum and Nursery Market Festival in Myepadetha Park where they were conducted round the Museum and the Festival by officials of Myanma Agriculture Service of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. They also visited Yangon Zoological Gardens and Aquarium.

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( 7 ) Cash donated for Kawthoung Township development

Yangon, 24 Jan- A ceremony to present cash donated by Asia Wealth Bank for regional development of Kawthoung Township and to explain banking services to the people was held at Thahtaykyun Hotel in the township, Taninthayi Division on 2 January.It was attended by local Operations Commander Col Zaw Min, departmental officials, townselders , businessmen, Vice-Chairman of AWB U Aik Tun and staff and invited guests.Then, U Aik Tun presented K 500,000 to Lt-Col Myat Tun Hain who presented a certificate of honour to him.

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