Information Sheet No.B. 1009(I)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
YANGON

Information  Sheet  
No.B. 1009(I)                 2 Aug  1999

(1)     Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand and Delegation Conclude Goodwill 
Visit

        Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Mr. Bhichai Rattakul and goodwill 
delegation  accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs and officials, left 
Yangon by special flight for Mandalay on 30 July. The visiting Delegation 
paid homage to Maha Myatmuni Buddha Image and offered Shwethingan (Golden 
Robe) to the Buddha image.They also paid obeisance to Hsutaungpyi  Pagoda on 
Mandalay Hill and donated cash towards the Pagoda fund. After proceeding to  
Bagan-NyaungU by special flight the visiting delegation visited Bagan 
Archaeological Museum, Myanma Lacquerware Institute, Lacquerware Museum and 
Shwezigon and Ananda Pagoda. 
They arrived back Yangon on 31 July. They also paid obeisance to Shwedagon 
Pagoda in Yangon.  The Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand and goodwill 
delegation left Yangon by air on 1 August.

(2)     Reception Held to Mark 72nd Anniversary of PLA

        A reception for 72nd Founding Aniversary of the People's Liberation 
Army of the People's Republic of China was held at the office of PRC Military 
Attache in Yangon on 1 August. Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development 
Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and senior Tatmadaw (Defence Services) officers, 
ambassadors and military attaches, their wives and guests attended the 
reception. 

(4)     Commander-in-Chief (Air) Leaves for Thailand on Goodwill Visit

        At the invitation of Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Air Force Air 
Chief Marshal Tananit Niamtan, a Myanmar goodwill delegation led by 
Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Kyaw Than left Yangon by air for Thailand on 
1 August.

(5)     Minister Leaves for Brunei

        As a specially invited person of the XX SEA Games Chairman of Myanmar 
Olympic Committee Minister for Sports together with members of management, 
track and field, billiards and snookers, sepak takraw, taekwando, bowling, 
golf, karatedo, swimming, transport, medical and information groups totalling 
109 left Yangon by air on 1 August as the second batch of Myanmar sports 
contingent.

(6)     Prizes Presented to Baby Friendly Hospitals, Townships

        Prizes were presented to hospitals and townships in recognition of 
their participation in practising systematic breastfeeding in commemoration 
of World Breastfeeding Week movement at the Institute of Nursing in Yangon on 

1 August. Present on the occasion were Minister for Health, Deputy
Ministers, 
Directors-general and rectors, medical superintendents of the hospitals, 
officials and resident representatives of UN agencies, officials of NGOs, 
State and Division Medical Officers, officials of  the prize-winning 
hospitals and townships and guests. Since 1992, the first week of August has 
been designated World Breast feeding Week and celebrated worldwide with 
various activities in different ways. Likewise, in Myanmar, this is the 8th 
year in succession that we have commemorated World Breastfeeding Week Today's 
award giving ceremony marks the inauguration of this year's weeklong 
activities. The Baby Friendly Initiative is one of the many Health Projects 
being implemented in Myanmar under the guidance of National Health Committee. 
This project was first launched in January 1993. Under this project 660 
hospitals have been given training and 249 hospitals have been designated 
Baby Friendly Hospitals.Baby Friendly Home Delivery Initiative has been 
introduced in 291 townships and 39 have been designated Baby Friendly 
Townships. 
        Every year, World Breastfeeding Week is commemorated with a new 
theme. The theme of this year's celebration Breastfeeding: Education for 
Life. Actually, in Myanmar, the nation has been carrying out health education 
activities continuously since 1992. This year, to gain momentum in promoting 
the Baby Friendly Initiative, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with 
WHO held Breast Feeding Counselling Courses in April and July. Plans are 
being made to hold further courses in all the States and Divisions. To put 
across the message to the public, breastfeeding is being promoted with songs 
and stories through the media of television and radio. It is being planned to 
incorporate the message "Breast feeding is best" into school lessons to 
instill the knowledge at an early age. Breast Feeding is included in the 
curriculum of Medical, Nurses and Midwife training. Breast Feeding Support 
Groups are being formed and trained by NGOs like the Maternal and Child 
Welfare Association. The Myanmar Medical Association has been giving yearly 
training courses on the Baby Friendly Initiative to GPs in all States and 
Divisions. This year, Breastfeeding Week will be celebrated with a number of 
activities. 30 Baby Friendly Hospitals and 11 Baby Friendly Townships will 
receive awards today. Tomorrow, a workshop on training of local assessors for 
Baby Friendly Hospitals and Townships will be held at East Yangon General 
Hospital. The following day will see televised broadcasts and interviews on 
Myanmar and Myawaddy television channels. On August 4th there will be a  
Seminar on Infant Feeding in the Context of HIV/AIDS prevention at the 
Myanmar Medical Association. On the 5th of August there will be educational 
talks on Breastfeeding in 4 districts under the Yangon Divisional Health 
Department. The next day will bring  a one-day seminar on breastfeeding by 
the Myanmar Nurses' Association. On the last day August 7th, a training 
course will be held and certificates given by the Myanmar Maternal and Child 

Welfare Association to trainees of Breastfeeding Support Groups. 

        These weeklong activities will help achieve one of the goals of the 
Integrated Management of Maternal and Childhood Illness Project ,ie. 
educating all mothers about Breastfeeding. The Baby Friendly Initiatives 
Project which began at hospital level has now reached home deliveries in many 
towns and villages.Resident representative of UNICEF Dr Juan Aquilar 
presented prizes to 11 townships and 30 hospitals practising systematic 
breastfeeding in commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week movement.

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