Bangkok Post News (20/10/98)

[mandalay@xxxxxxxxxx]

Burma gets malaria aid

<italic>Insecticides and drugs handed over at border

</italic>

Thailand has handed drugs and pesticides to Burma in an attempt to
eradicate malaria from border areas.

The nine-million baht gift was made yesterday with a first batch of 38.5
tonnes of insecticides and quinine being donated. Futher hand-overs will
take place at border points in Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi and Ranong.

The Tak hand-over was witnessed by Communicable Disease Control
director-general, Yuth Potharamik, and Burmese Malaria control project
director, Soe Aung.

The Thai cabinet agreed to pick up the tab following a World Health
Organisation request to the Public Health Ministry.

Mr Soe Aung said the medicine and pesticide will go to Kaya, Karen and
Mon states where malaria is widespread.

He said the Burmese government is concerned at the spread of malaria and
other insect-borne diseases along the Thai-Burmese border.

Health officials say the number of people in Mae Hong Son, Tak and
Kanchanaburi suffering from malaria is on the rise.


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