(1) Myanmar Health
Assistants Association holds fifth conference, celebrategolden jubilee
YANGON, 6 May - The fifth conference and golden jubilee of
Myanmar Health Assistants Association was held at Pyidaungsu Hall
on Kyaikkasan Grounds this morning, addressed by Chairman of the
National Health Committee Secre-tary-1 of the State Peace and Development
Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt.
Also present were member of the State Peace and Development Council
Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen
Khin Maung Than, the ministers, the deputy ministers, officials of the
State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments, officials
of UN agencies, retired health assistants, the chairman, executives and
members of Myanmar Health Assistants Association, delegates of states and
divisions to the fifth conference and guests.
The Secretary-1 said that Myanmar Health Assistants Association, which
is organizing and leading health assistants who are providing health
care for the national people all over the nation, is making progress. It
amounts to emergence of a foundation which will contribute to uplift of
health standard of the people.
In Myanmar, health assistants are practically providing community health
care right down to the rural
areas of the State up to its golden jubilee year. Therefore, health
assistants should be proud of themselves, and the State is also proud
of them.
In fact, health assistants are important health workers who played and
will continue to play a vital role in the history of providing health
care in Myanmar. However, as the majority failed to notice their important
role, it can be metaphorically said that they are important actors behind
the curtains.
In view of the history of providing health care in Myanmar under colonial
rule, the colonialists ignored community health care and suppressed
the flourishing of Myanmar traditional medicine. One or two licensed
medical practitioners were produced, and as a result, the health standard
of the people was very low.
To produce health assistants as soon as possible and provide health
care for rural people, who constitute the majority of the population
of the State, a health assistant training course was opened in 1951. As
of 1953, rural health centres comprising one lady health visitor,
five midwives and one health worker to give vaccination against smallpox
were set up. They were assigned seven main tasks and other various duties.
It is amazing to see that the seven main tasks of those rural health
centres coincide with the norms of
basic health care mentioned in ALMA-ATA Declaration which is adopted
by international community under the auspices of World Health Organization.
Therefore, health care provided in Myanmar is of high standard and
keeping pace with the time. It is found that the tasks of health assistants
are of international standard.
Although health assistants worked for the community health care, they
hardly received recognition
throughout various times. It was also found that their future was uncertain.
Therefore, since the Tatmadaw government's assumption of duties of State,
national health policies have been laid down to uplift the health
standard of the national people. The role of health assistants has been
uplifted, and more duties have been assigned to them. With the aim of producing
qualified health assistants continuously, enabling the present health
assistants to pursue higher studies and creating opportunities for
their life, necessary arrangements have been made.
To train and produce health assistants, there was only a training school
previously; now the University of Primary Health has been established
to confer the degree of BSc (Primary Health).
Arrangements have been made to enable health assistants who are still
in service to pursue higher studies at the University of Primary
Health, and over 500 posts such as health officers (grade-1) and township
health officers have been created.
National forces have been mobilized in respective sectors in striving
for the peace, tranquillity,
modernization and development of the State with the collective strength
of the entire national people. In the health sector,
Myanmar Health Assistants Association like Myanmar Medical Association,
Myanmar Dental Surgeons Association and Myanmar Nurses Association,
has emerged grandly and is working for the interests not only of
the nation but also of health assistants. Myanmar Health Assistants Association
has formed state and division branch associations and district and
township branch associations.
The association, in cooperation with national and international organizations,
is performing tasks
assigned to attend to the needs of health care of rural people such
as prevention of AIDS, educational activities, research on rural
health care, water supply in rural areas, the building of lakes and national
immunization activities. To broaden their health knowledge and promote
their quality, quarterly bulletins and yearly magazines are published.
Summing up, it is encouraging to see that Myanmar Health Assistants
Association and its members health assistants are carrying out not only
their main tasks but also community health care tasks dutifully.
He said the government hand in hand with the people is endeavouring
for development of the country to keep abreast with international
community under the leadership of the State Peace and Development
Council. Health and fitness of the entire people has come to the fore as
a basic national requirement, he said. Laying down the national health
policy, efforts are being made for uplift of health and fitness of the
entire people in accord with the policy of bringing about health system
based on primary health care of the people, providing health care
service to rural regions including border areas to narrow the health gap
among all regions and carrying out health care service and health management
activities up to the grassroots levels.
Therefore the Health Assistants play an important role, he added. He
said Head of State Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance on raising
its momentum for rural development in the respective regions, uplift
of the health standard of the rural people and making efforts to get clean
and safe drinking water. He said systematic arrangements are being
made for uplift of health standard in rural regions in accord with
the guidance of the Head of State.
Health Assistant SHOULD work efficiently and dutifully, leading primary
health staff and organizing the rural people are becoming more and
more important, he said. He said Health Assistants are working among
the people and they are ones with the people. They can fulfil health requirements
of the people and know real situation. They are to educate rural
people for promotion of their health standard, he added. In order
to organize and lead the people Health Assistants are to try to gain knowledge
on health education and dignity, he said.
He urged them to effectively carry out the tasks on health education,
health care service and promotion of socio-economic life of rural
people for successful implementation of the guidance of Senior General
Than Shwe. He spoke of the need for them to undertake the tasks for
successful implementation of national health projects, and rural
development project economic plans applying sound experience, accurate
data and practical reviews. With the improvement of work efficiency
of the Health Assistants the State's objective of narrowing health
gap between rural and urban areas will be achieved in a short time.
He also urged them and their association to strive for national interest
based on uplift of health standard of rural people and development
of the region. In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged them to serve the
national interest standing firmly as a national force under the banner
of Myanmar Health Assistants Association, to make concerted efforts
for emergence of a peaceful modern developed nation and to promote education,
health and socio-economic life of rural people for success of national
health plans and rural development work.
Next, the Secretary-1 and Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein accepted K 500,000
for MHAA by Mitchell Pharmaceutical Co, K 63,000 by Kyaw Pharmaceutical
Co, K 60,000 by Hsinphyugyun Trading, K 42,000 by Zizawa Health Care
Service, K 100,000 by U Kyaw Thaung of Happy Soft drink, K 100,000 by U
Tun Myint-Daw San San Oo of Bokesonma dry chillies powder and K 10,000
by delegates of ten townships in Mon State to the conference. The
Secretary-1 presented K 500,000 donated by NHC for MHAA to Minister
Maj-Gen Sein Htwa. The secretary-1 signed in the record book and he cordially
greeted the delegates. The secretary-1 then visited booths opened
in commemoration of the fifth conference of MHAA and the Golden Jubilee.
Secretary-1 inspects decoration
tasks at Mindhamma Hill
YANGON, 6 May - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt,
accompanied by officials from the State Peace and Development Council
Office, arrived at Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township where the Lawka
Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image is kept, at 3.10 pm toady.
He was welcomed there by Deputy Minister for Construction U Tint Swe,
Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen. Thura Myint Maung,
officials, technicians and members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees.
The Secretary-1 paid homage to the Image. Then, he inspected progress of
work in carving the Image, construction of Gandhakuti Kyaungdawgyi,
retaining wall and southern and northern stairways and heard the
reports of the officials. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 inspected the
statues and figurines carved out of the splinters of the marble stone
used to carve the Image. He gave instructions to the officials.
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(2) Secretary-1 inspects
construction of Research Centre for Rice, Vegetables and Fruits, agricultural
and livestock breeding work
YANGON, May 6?The Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt inspected construction of Research Centre for Rice,
Vegetables and Fruits and livestock breeding and agricultural work at Myodaw
Farm of Yangon City Development Committee in Uto-KyaInn region, Taikkyi
Township, Yangon North District, this morning.
The Secretary-1, accompanied by ministers, deputy ministers, officials
of the State Peace and
Development Council Office, departmental officials, arrived there at
11.30 am. They were welcomed by ministers, Chairman of YCDC Yangon Mayor
U Ko Lay and officials.
First, the Secretary-1 and party inspected the main sluice gate built
to channel the water from Tabu Hla dam through Oak Pon creek into Inn Su
reservoirs and construction of fish ponds.
Then, they proceeded to the Research Centre for Rice, Vegetables and
Fruits. Secretary of YCDC Col Myint Aung gave an account of progress of
construction work and layout of rooms in the building. Then, Deputy
Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen. Khin Maung explained
matters related to research, equipment to be used and technicians
and skilled workers.
The Secretary-1 gave instructions on construction of the Centre of international
standard, the use of
modern equipment, timely completion of construction work and
extension of the Centre with a view to doing research not only on
agriculture but also on livestock breeding. Then, the Secretary-1 and party
inspected laboratory apparatus to be used at the Centre.
Later, the Secretary-1 and party inspected new prawn breeding ponds.
Then, they went to the Resort Club House of YCDC. Mayor U Ko
Lay reported to the Secretary-1 and party on paddy cultivation on 12,000
acres of land, livestock breeding work, production and distribution, cultivation,
production and distribution of peas and beans and kitchen crops,
construction of roads, drains and sluice gates, cultivation of perennial
crops and construction of the golf resort.
The Secretary-1 instructed the officials to choose sites for sea prawn
breeding in cooperation with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries,
see to it that agriculture and livestock breeding zones of YCDC supply
food for residents of Yangon City and that agriculture and livestock breeding
camps of Yangon Command, the Ministry of Home Affairs and YCDC help
control commodity prices, open shops at tax- free markets and make efforts
to achieve the objectives of tax-free markets. Then, the Secretary-1
and party left there in the evening.
Secretary-1 attends corner-stone
laying ceremony of Pan Hlaing Modern Office Building
YANGON, 6 May-A ceremony to lay corner-stone of Pan Hlaing Modern Office
Building jointly
implemented by Lay Thi Co and Taw Win Family Co was held at No 84 Pan
Hlaing Street in Sangyoung Township this morning, attended by the
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin
Nyunt. Also present were ministers, deputy ministers, high-ranking military
officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office,
departmental heads, members of the Board of Directors of Lay Thi
Co and Taw Win Family Co, construction entrepreneurs and guests. Member
of Myanmar Calendar Advisory Committee Saya U Kyaw read the stone
inscriptions. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 laid the casket of nine
gems.
Then, the Secretary-1 and ministers laid corner-stones. Next, the Secretary-1
sprinkled scented water on the casket, and stone inscriptions. The
ceremony came to an end with the three-time recitation of Buddha
Sasanam Ciram Titthatu. Afterwards, a ceremony to donate cash to social
funds was held. Chairman of Lay Thi Co and Taw Win Family Co U Ko
Ko Htwe explained construction of the office building and purpose
of donation. Then, U Ko Ko Htwe and officials of Lay Thi Co presented K
3.6 million to the Secretary-1 for social funds. The Pan Hlaing Modern
Office Building will be a ten-storey structure that is 113 feet long
and 83 feet wide. It will house a car park that can hold 32 cars at the
basement. Three elevators will be installed at the building. Ground
floor will house show rooms and shops. There will be 45 offices on
the rest nine floors. These offices are intended to be leased.
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(3) Secretary-1 attends dinner
in honour of Outstanding Red Cross Youths Get-together 2001
YANGON, 6 May. A dinner was hosted in honour of outstanding youths
from states and divisions who are attending Outstanding Red Cross
Youths Get-together 2001 of Myanmar Red Cross Society at the Myanyila
Hall of No 2 Basic Education High School on Bogyoke Aung San Street, Latha
Township, here, at 6.45 pm today, attended by Chairman of the National
Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe.
Also present were member of the State Peace and Development Council
Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander
of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and wife, ministers, deputy
ministers, officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council,
departmental heads, chairmen, vice-chairmen and officials of social organizations,
leader of the delegation of International Red Cross Committee Mr
Michel Ducraux and officials, Resident Representative of International
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Federation Mr Yutaka Oiwa and
officials, members of the central council of MRCS, Chairman of MRCS Dr
Kyaw Win and CEC members, members of State/Division Red Cross Supervisory
Committees, chairmen of township Red Cross societies and distinguished
guests.
Chairman Dr Kyaw Win extended greetings. Outstanding Red Cross
youth from Kachin State Ma Myo Thuza spoke words of thanks.
The Secretary-1, together with the outstanding Red Cross youths, enjoyed
the dinner. During the dinner, artistes presented songs and members
of MRCS a role play "Khu-khan-ar-ma-kya-sin-ze-lo-ba".After the dinner,
the Secretary-1 cordially greeted the Red Cross youths.
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(4) Sacred Fullmoon Day of
Kason observed at Kaba Aye
YANGON, 6 May - Over 500 trainees led by course instructor of basic
Buddhism course Bhaddanta Panñasami (Magadhi-Thasi) held a
ceremony of sacred Fullmoon Day of Kason at Maha Theindawgyi on Kaba
Aye Hill this morning. They offered water, flowers and lights to
the Lord Buddha. Religious verses were read out in Pali and
Myanmar. The trainees participated in Bo Tree watering ceremony.
After the ceremony, Sagaing U Kyi Nyunt-Daw Aye Aye Myint and family
of No 23, Kyaung Street, Myenigon, Sangyoung Township, served those present
with snacks.
Fullmoon Day of Kason celebrated
at pagodas
YANGON, 6 May ? The Fullmoon Day of Kason was celebrated today at pagodas
and monasteries, which were crowded by Buddhist devotees who were
offering water to Bo trees and performing good deeds.
The 18th Bo tree watering ceremony of the Shwedagon Pagoda was held
on the platform of the pagoda at 7 am.
Ovadacariya Sayadaws of the Shwedagon Pagoda consecrated Pariboga Ceti
(Bo tree).
The members of the pagoda board of trustees and religious associations
and the congregation received the Nine Precepts from Ovada-cariya Sayadaw
of the Shwedagon Pagoda Bhaddanta Silacarabhivamsa.
They also offered alms to the Sayadaws and shared merits gained for
good deeds.
The Ovadacariya Sayadaws opened the ceremony by watering the Bo tree.
The Shwedagon Pagoda was crowded the whole day with Buddhist devotees
who offered flowers, water, lights and incense to the pagoda, kept Sabbath,
meditated and watered the Bo tree.
At Botahtaung Pagoda, the Bo tree watering ceremony was also held in
NanOo Payagyi Prayer Hall on the platform of the pagoda.
Present were Chairman of Seikkan Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Bhaddanta
Sobhita and member Sayadaws of Township Sangha Nayaka Committee, Commander
of No 4 Military Region Command Brig-Gen. Myo Myint, members of the pagoda
board of trustees, departmental officials of Seikkan and Botahtaung Townships,
guests and members of religious associations.
The Chairman Sayadaw invested the congregation with the Five Precepts.
The Sayadaws and members of the Sangha recited Metta Sutta.
Then, the Sayadaws and devout Buddhists watered the Bo tree.
Similar ceremonies were held at Sule Pagoda, Thiri Mingalar Kaba Aye
Pagoda, Mailamu Pagoda in North Okkalapa Township, the Tooth Relic Pagoda
(Yangon) in Mayangon Township, Kyaikkasan
Pagoda in Thingangyun Township, Shwebonpwint Pagoda in Pazundaung Township,
Okkalapa Pagoda in South Okkalapa Township, Maha Wizaya Pagoda and
108-Taung Pagoda and Zinamanaung Pagoda in Thaketa Township.
Mahasi International Buddhist Missionary Centre also held the 12th Bo tree
watering ceremony on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road in Mayangon Township.
Mon national youths also held a soft-drinks offering ceremony and Bo
tree watering ceremony at Mon Dhammayon on Shwedagon Pagoda Road and on
the platform of the Shwedagon Pagoda at noon and 4 pm.
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(5) Outstanding Red
Cross youths tour Yangon
YANGON, 6 May-Outstanding Red Cross youths from the states and divisions,
who arrived here to attend the Outstanding Red Cross Youths Get-together
2001 of Myanmar Red Cross Society, toured Yangon for the third day.
They visited the Shwedagon Pagoda in the morning. Then, they proceeded
to Fire Services Training School in Mayangon Township and observed
the Fire-Fighting and Live-Rescuing demonstration of the firemen.
In the afternoon, they visited the Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image
in Insein Township and Myanma Radio and Television on Pyay Road.
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(6) Commander attends Fire
Services Day Parade in Aungmyethazan Township
YANGON, 6 May- The 55th Anniversary Fire Services Day Parade was held
yesterday on Aungmye Mandala sports grounds in Aungmyethazan Township,
Mandalay Division.
Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander
of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint spoke on the occasion and inspected
demonstration of fire-fighting skills.
The commander presented prizes to members of Fire Brigade. He then attended
the 14th prize-
presentation ceremony for Mandalay Hill Summer Beauty Colour Photo
Competition. The commander presented prizes to winners. Vice-Chairman
of Mandalay Hill All-round Development Committee Lt-Col Ohn Myint
presented gifts to the members of the panel of judges.
The commander presented winners of physical and intellectual competition
of day care nurseries. Patron of Mandalay Division Maternal and Child Welfare
Association Supervisory Committee Dr Daw Tin Lin Myint accepted donations
for Mandalay MCWA
Fire Services Day Parade
heldin Pathein
YANGON, 6 May - The 55th Anniversary Fire Services Day Parade was held
on Kyauktaing sports grounds in Pathein Township, Ayeyawady Division
on 5 May. Present were Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace
and Development Council Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Thura Shwe
Mann, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen. Tint Swe, senior military officers, departmental
officials, Head of Division Fire Services Department U Than Kyaw
Kyaw, members of Fire Brigade and guests.
Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann delivered an
address on the occasion.
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(7) Commander attends Htidaw
hoisting ceremony
YANGON, 6 May- A ceremony to mark the hoisting of Htidaws atop 39 ancient
pagodas of Makyisin, Tindate, Pyati and Sitee villages in Sagaing
Township, Sagaing Division was held at Tindate village on 30 April.
The ceremony was attended by Sayadaws led by member of State Sangha Maha
Nayaka Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sagara of Laykyun Myayoat
Kyaung, Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council
Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Win, officials and local
people. Nine members of the Sanghas consecrated the pagodas. The commander
and the congregation received the Nine Precepts from the Sayadaw.
Then, the commander supplicated on religious affairs and offered
alms to the Sayadaws. At the auspicious time, the commander and the well-wishers
hoisted Seinphudaws and tiers of Htidaws atop the 39 pagodas. The commander
performed the ritual of golden and silver showers. Htidaws have been
hoisted atop 50 ancient pagodas in Sagaing Division and ancient pagodas
are being renovated.
Bo Tree water pouring festival
at Mindhamma Hill
YANGON, 6 May-As today is sacred Fullmoon Day of Myanmar month Kason,
Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township where Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni
Image is kept, was packed with members of the Sangha, nuns and people.
A Bo tree water pouring ceremony was held on the hill this afternoon. It
was attended by Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen. Thura Aung
Ko, Joint-Secretary of Central Committee for All-round Construction
of Mindhamma Hill Cmdr Khin Maung Oo (Navy), members of the Pagoda
Board of Trustees, Yangon North District Union Solidarity and Development
Association and wut associations totalling over 5,000. The deputy minister,
Cmdr Khin Maung Oo, stone sculptor Siri Sudhamma Manijotadhara U
Taw Taw, Patron of the Pagoda Board of Trustees U Shein Aung Bo and
executive of Yangon North District USDA U Zaw Win Tun formally opened the
ceremony. Those present watered the Bo tree in the Tuesday corner
of the hill.
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(8) Fifth conference
of Myanmar Health Assistants Association held
YANGON, 6 May-Myanmar Health Assistants Association held its fifth conference
in conjunction with golden jubilee at Pyidaungsu Hall in Kyaikkasan
Sports Grounds, here, this morning. Present were Chairman of the
association U Tun Kyi and executives, delegates from the States and Divisions,
observers and guests. Chairman of the conference U Than Sein made
an opening address. Reports of Central Executive Committee of the
association were read out, followed by a general round of discussions.
Then, new Central Executive Committee was elected. Afterwards, paper
reading session was held. Next, members of the association paid respect
to retired health assistants aged over 70. In the evening, the association
hosted a dinner in honour of the delegates.
(9) 14,540 stimulant tablets
seized
YANGON, 6 May - A combined team comprising members of the local intelligence
unit and Myanmar Police Force searched Sai Lon and Aik Yee of Wanwaw
Village in Lwelon Village-tract, who arrived at the entrance of Wan-saung
Village, Keng-tung, Shan State (East) by DT-125 motorbike, on 26 April.
Altogether 14,540 stimulant tablets bearing the word "WY" were found on
their person. The police station concerned has opened a case against
them under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.
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