Information Sheet No.B-1192 (I)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
YANGON

Information  Sheet
 No.B-1192 (I)               24th December,1999

(1) First Anniversary of  U Hla Tun Hospice( Cancer)
 
    The first anniversary of U Hla Tun Hospice ( Cancer )
 Association was held at the National Theatre (Yangon)
on 23 December, attended by Chairman of the National
Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. Also present on
the occasion were ministers, deputy ministers,
officials of the State Peace and Development  Council
Office, department heads, medical superintendents and
officials of hospitals, well-wishers,  U Hla Tun and
members of the association, employees and guests. 
     U Hla Tun set up an initial trust-fund with K 10
million and formed U Hla Tun Hospice  (Cancer) 
Association in the end of 1998 as a non-profit
association with the aims of providing health care for
needy and poor patients, giving solace to them and
attending to their requirements. The number  of
well-wishers who would like to make donations is
increasing and the Government has also given
encouragement and assistance to it. Arrangements are
being made to build a centre where in -patients  can
be treated.  The initial trust-fund has increased up
to over K 22 million, five-year  savings bonds worth K
13 million  have been purchased, and  K 6 million have
been kept in a deposit account.   U Hla Tun will
donate US $ 100,000 for building a centre where in
-patients will be treated, on a six-acre plot given by
the Government.  U Hla Tun Hospice (Cancer) 
Association, making contacts with hospitals and
specialists, have given solace and treatment to 52
poor patients who are suffering various kinds of
cancer and provided assistance  in cash and kind for them. 

(2) U Ohn Thwin Appointed Ambassador to Bangladesh
 
    The Chairman of the State Peace and Development
Council of the Union of Myanmar has appointed U Ohn
Thwin  as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the Union  of Myanmar to the People's  Republic of
Bangladesh.

(3) Myanma Tatmadaw (Defence Services) Soccer Team and
Volleyball Team Win Championship

    Myanma Tatmadaw soccer team and volleyball team
arrived back Yangon by air on 23 December from
Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Myanma Tatmadaw soccer
team and volleyball team won the first prizes in the
Tatmadaw Soccer Tournament and Volleyball Tournament
of ASEAN Countries to mark the 55th Anniversary Armed
Forces Day of SRV.

(4) National Workshop on Priority Issues Affecting Women's  Health and 
Development Council         

    National Workshop on the priority Issues  Affecting
Women's Health and Development  sponsored by National
Working Committee for Women's Affairs,  Ministry of
Health and World Health Organization continued for the
second day at International  Business Centre on 23
December.  Delegates from states and divisions
discussed matters on Priority Issues Affecting Women's
Health and Development. The workshop continues on 24
December.

(5) General Practitioners' Scientific Conference to be Held

    The 2nd General Practitioners' Scientific Conference 
of Myanmar Medical Association  will be held at the
association from 1 to 2 January  2000.  Doctors who
would like to attend are to register at the
association beginning 27 December.

(6) 919.3 Acres of Poppy Destroyed Sept. to 11 December 99

    The government is resolved to eradicate narcotic
drugs as national duty, and  the combined teams
comprising members of Tatmadaw (Defence Services) 
columns,  local intelligence units, Myanmar Police
Force and local people with the leadership of the
respective of military commands have been incessantly
destroying the poppy plantations illegally grown in
far-flung areas of Shan State (South) Shan State
(North) , Kayah State and Chin State.  A total of 46
acres  in Muse Township, 42 acres in Loilem Township, 
643 acres in Phekhon Township, 25.5 acres in Hopong
Township,  171.5 acres in Loikaw Township and  0.3 
acre in Mindat Township were destroyed from September
to 11 December 1999. A total of 919.3 acres of poppy
plantations illegally grown have been destroyed , and
efforts are continuing to search and destroy the
illegal poppy plantations. 

(7) Stimulant Tablets Seized  in Nawnghkio

    A total of 135,360 stimulant tablets were seized at
the check point in Nawnghkio, Northern Shan State from
a car  bound  for Mandalay from Lashio on 6 December. 
Members of Defence Services Intelligence Unit and
Myanmar Police  Force found  the drugs from the
passenger-line bus with Than Naing of Mandalay at the
wheel. The authorities searched the car at the check
point. Further investigations led to the arrest of
narcotics owner Daw San San (a) Ma Kyin Hsu of
Taunggyi. Action has been taken against those who were
involved in the case.

(8) Preparations For Internet Service Provider At Final Stage

    Under the existing rules and regulations Myanma Posts
and Telecommunications is the only entity allowed for
public postal and telecommunications services in
Myanmar. Preparations for Internet Service Provider
including Internet and E-mail are at the final stage
and these sevices will soon be provided to the general
public. MPT has been providing X-400 E-mail service since 1997.