The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday, 20 December, 2001)

[Okkar66126@xxxxxxx]

The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday, 20 December, 2001)
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1. Secretary-1 addresses opening ceremony of Myanmar Iodine
   Deficiency Elimination Week
2. 4th BIMST-EC Senior Officials' Meeting opens
3. Indian Minister arrives to attend BIMST-EC ministerial meeting
4. Chin national study group continues Yangon tour
5. - Minister attends course concluding and opening ceremony
   - K 50,000 each, gifts paid to doyen literati in Yangon Division
6. Course on computation of GDP concludes
7. - Blood donors honoured
   - Wellwishers invited for sinking tube-wells
8. - Delegates to Traditional Medicine Practitioners' Conference
     tour Yangon
   - Second traditional medicine and medical equipment exhibition
     continues
9. - Fifth anniversary of Ministry of Sports held
   - Second traditional medicine and medical equipment exhibition
     continues

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( 1 )  Consumption of iodized salt most effective and long-term strategy to
eliminate iodine deficiency Iodized salt distribution project being extended
annually to cover whole nation

Secretary-1 addresses opening ceremony of Myanmar Iodine Deficiency
Elimination Week

Yangon, 19 DecÑ Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the
State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the opening
ceremony of Myanmar Iodine Deficiency Elimination Week at International
Business Centre on Pyay Road at 7.30 am today and delivered an address at the
ceremony. Also present on the occasion were ministers, the Yangon Mayor,
deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council
Office, departmental heads, diplomats of foreign missions in Yangon and
officials of UN agencies, rectors, medical superintendents, representatives
of NGOs and salt entrepreneurs and guests. First, Chairman of National Health
Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt delivered an address.

 He said: Launching of the Myanmar iodine deficiency elimination week stage
by stage with the unanimous participation of the entire people as a national
level mass health activity is the result of the active and harmonious efforts
of the people under the effective leadership and management of the State. The
State Peace and Development Council is striving with the force of the entire
people for Myanmar to become a modern and developed nation to be able to
stand shoulder to shoulder with the world nations in terms of development.

In this situation, efforts are being made to uplift the health, fitness and
intellectual level of the entire people as a primary health requirement.
Ensuring of a disease-free state for all the people and availability of
nutritious food in other words consumption of the required amount of
nourishment in accord with the age bracket are also vital needs in uplifting
health and fitness of the entire nation. Getting adequate amount of nutrition
is also an important factor to raise the economic and social status of the
people.

At the same time public health and nutritional know-ledge is also vital in
consuming a required amount and ratio of nutrition for health. At present,
the economic and social standard of the people are significantly rising
because foundations of progress are emerging. The Union of Myanmar has never
faced famine in any period. At present also, the people do not need to worry
about nutritious food as the government is specially concentrating on
boosting agriculture, livestock breed-ing and foodstuff production. At
present extra attention should be given to dissemination of health education
to enable the people to consume the correct amount of nutritious food and to
control diseases resulting from malnutrition.

The National Health Committee has been drawing and implementing the national
health plans to promote the public health care task; nutrition development
project has been included in the major public health care project to control
diseases resulting from lack of nutrition such as child protein deficiency,
goitre resulting from iodine deficiency, pregnancy anaemia and eye disorders
resulting from lack of vitamin A.

 Iodine deficiency, which can damage the brain development and intellectual
power of children, can be controlled through preventive measures. Thus, the
task to control iodine deficiency was included in the resolutions made at the
1991 World Children Con-ference and 1992 International Nutrition Conference.
As consumption of the iodized salt is the most effective and long-term
strategy in eliminating the iodine deficiency syndrome, Myanmar is
systematically applying the Universal Salt Iodization (USI) system. The
potency of some of the nutritious elements including the iodized salt easily
disappear in the natural condition. There is evidence that the national
people from some regions of Myanmar were suffering from iodine deficiency
syndrome since over 100 years ago.

 Thus, distribution of iodized salt and giving of iodine injections and
iodine pills have been conducted in the hill regions where goitre cases can
be found. At present, goitre is spreading to the plains also. Thus the
iodized salt distribution project has been extended annually since 1989 to
cover the whole nation. At the 24th National Health Committee Meeting, which
was held in 1997, a  decision has been passed and realized to iodize all the
salt produced in Myanmar to eliminate iodine deficiency in the country. The
iodized salt produced in Myanmar met the local consumption in 1999. The
health sector is continuously launching education campaign to organize the
people to consume the iodized salt with full confidence.

The Myanmar Salt and Marine Chemicals Enterprise of the Ministry of Mines is
making systematic efforts to produce enough sale for local demand and to add
iodine to the sale in accord with the required ratio. There was a significant
drop in the goitre cases resulting from iodine deficiency in Myanmar. In
2000-2001, the goitre cases dropped to 12 percent in the nation from 33
percent in 1994. In 2000-2001, there were only 2 states and divisions where
occurrence of goitre reached over 30 percent down from nine in 1994. The rate
of goitre gradually reduced.

The study showed that 18 per cent of households consumed iodized salt in 1994
in Myanmar and in 2000 the percentage increased up to 79. He said he learnt
that Myanma Salt and Marine Chemical Enterprise of the Ministry of Mines
provided advanced technology to salt entrepreneurs for putting iodine in
salt. The test kit that can measure the amount of iodine were invented with
the cooperation of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Mines and UNICEF.
He said most people can enjoy iodized salt with the sense of health.

 As a result, the occurrence of goitre has now considerably reduced. Myanmar
Iodine Deficiency Elimination Week was launched for raising the
already-achieved success and public participation in the campaign, he added.
The entire people including government departments, salt entrepreneurs,
social associations would participate in Myanmar Iodine Deficiency
Elimination Week nationwide. Educative talks, essay competition and debate
and inspection of salt quality at the shops would be held silmutaneously, he
said. He spoke of the need to make arrangements for consumption of iodized
salt in some regions and establish quality control system for iodized salt
produced and seek better ways and means to supply potassium iodate needed in
production of iodized salt. He urged salt entrepreneurs to produce iodized
salt in accord with the process.

In conclusion, he urged all to raise the momentum of nutrition programmes for
eradication of diseases that cause food deficiency, to make concerted efforts
in harmony for eradication of iodine deficiency which is harmful to health
and fitness of new generation youths and to cooperate with people in
organizing them to consume quality salt. Then, the Secretary-1 presented
certificates of honour to representatives of Union Solidarity and Development
Association, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and Yangon
Division Salt Entrepreneurs who contributed to the iodine deficiency
elimination campaign.

Afterwards, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein presented certificates of
honour to representatives of Myanmar Medical Association, salt entrepreneurs
of Mon State and Pathein District of Ayeyawady Division who participated in
the iodine deficiency elimination campaign and Minister for Mines Brig-Gen
Ohn Myint certificates of honour to representatives of Myanmar Red Cross
Society and salt entrepreneurs of Rakhine State and Myaungmya District of
Ayeyawady Division.

 Next, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein and Minister for Mines Brig-Gen
Ohn Myint opened the leave of vehicles carrying iodized salt to be
distributed in Kachin, Kayah, Mon, Shan State (South) and Shan State (North)
and Sagaing Division. Then, the Secretary-1, ministers and guests inspected
the vehicles. Later, the Secretary-1, ministers and guests inspected the
exhibition to mark the Myanmar Iodine Deficiency Elimination Week at the
reception hall of IBC.
___________________________

( 2 )  4th BIMST-EC Senior Officials' Meeting opens

Yangon, 19 Dec- A ceremony to open the 4th BIMST-EC Senior Officials' Meeting
was held at the Sedona Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road at 8 am today. Present
on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win,
senior officials and de-legates of BIMST-EC members Bangladesh, India,
Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand, Ambassadors of BIMST-EC member countries and
officials.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win delivered an address. He
said: We are living in a world characterized by the twin processes of
globalization and liberalization which offer not only opportunities but also
challenges. Moreover, the current complex international situation and the
downturn in the global economy have further complicated the situation. It is
therefore evident that unless the developing nations come together and
cooperate with each other, they face the danger of being marginalized and of
being left behind in the march towards progress and development. In the light
of this scenario, discussions and deliberations at the various regional and
international fora and cooperation and coordination amongst the developing
countries are becoming increasingly important.

 The BIMST-EC Senior Officials' Meeting is such a forum in which the
delegates, who are here for discussions and deliberations to shape BIMST-EC
into a fully functional, effective and successful regional forum, do need to
analyze and evaluate the opportunities offered and the challenges posed.
BIMST-EC is now in its fifth year. I believe that we can congratulate
ourselves for the progress we have achieved during the past four years.

Meetings had been successfully organized and action plans had been adopted in
respect of all the identified six sectors of economic cooperation. Meetings
on only two sub-sectors, namely horticultural and floricultural products and
rubbers, tea, coffee remain to be held. Moreover, in most areas of the
identified sectors of economic cooperation, we have progressed to project
implementation phase. But we cannot afford to be complacent.

To meet the challenges of the times, we must be more action-oriented, more
result-oriented. It is our hope that the Senior Officials, following their
deliberation, will be able to make necessary recommendations to further
expand, intensify and accelerate the process of cooperation in our region.

 In addition, it is apparent that we will also have to canvas for investment
for our projects from the international and regional financial institutions,
donors and private sectors to enable us to successfully implement our
long-term projects which will bring economic growth, progress and prosperity
to our peoples through sustainable economic cooperation programmes. Last but
not least, I would like to express our appreciation for the role played by
the Working Group in Bangkok in giving us secretarial services and some
important organizational recommendations.

 I am confident that the deliberations at this Fourth BIMST-EC Senior
Officials' Meting will bring us closer to the realization of our aspirations
and objectives. After the opening ceremony, leader of the Myanmar delegation
Director-General U Win Mra of International Organizations and Economic
Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presided over the meeting and
gave a speech. Delegates discussed the report of the Chairman of BIMST-EC
Working Group.

Then, they adopted the BIMST-EC Logo and decided to submit it to the
ministerial meeting. Afterwards, the delegates discussed the decisions made
at the Third Meeting of the BIMST-EC Trade and Economic Ministers held in
February 2001. Next, the lead countries submitted reports on the progress in
the respective sectors. The delegates discussed adoption of the Visit
BIMST-EC 2001, seeking funds for BIMST-EC projects, the vision of BIMST-EC
and the set-up of BIMST-EC. The meeting continues tomorrow.
___________________________

( 3 )  Indian Minister arrives to attend BIMST-EC ministerial meeting

Yangon, 19 Dec- Minister of Commerce and Industry of India Mr Rajeev Pratap
Rudy and party arrived here by air this evening to attend the Fourth BIMST-EC
ministerial-meeting to be held in Yangon. They were welcomed at Yangon
International Airport by Director-General of the Protocol Department of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thura U Aung Htet, Ambassador of India to Myanmar
Mr Vivek Katju and officials concerned.
__________________________

( 4 ) Chin national study group continues Yangon tour

Yangon, 19 Dec - Chin national study group from Matupi Township, Mindat
District, Chin State, yesterday arrived in Yangon to visit famous pagodas and
to study the development of the State. Accompanied by group leader Maj Aung
San Oo, supervisors and officials, the group started their excursion in
Yangon yesterday morning.

They first visited Yangon Zoological Gardens where they were briefed on the
Gardens by Administration officer of the Gardens U Myint Nyein. Then, they
studied the booths round the Gardens. They proceeded to the Aquarium of the
Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. Staff Officer of the Fisheries
Department Daw Myint Thida Oo briefed them on the Aquarium. They next went to
the Union Solidarity and Development Association (Headquarters).

CEC member of USDA U Thein Sein extended greetings and explained the aims of
the Association to them. They headed for the Central Fire Services Training
School under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.
Director-General of the Fire Services Department U Myint Tun explained facts
about the Training School.

The Fire Services Department personnel presented a skill demonstration. In
the evening, they saw the film titled 'Swemyo-tawyin-belo-khaw-ma-le' at
Thamada cinema. They paid a visit to Kyaikkhauk Pagoda in Thanlyin Township
and Kyaikhmawwun Pagoda in Kyauktan Township today. Afterwards, they arrived
at the national race village. Director of the Progress of Border Areas and
National Races Department Lt-Col Zaw Oo briefed them on the village. The
excursion group later visited the Shukhintha Recreation Centre.
__________________________

( 5 )  Minister attends course concluding and opening ceremony

Yangon, 19 Dec- Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone attended the closing
ceremony of the Book-keeping and Quality Control Course No 3/2001, Basic
Accounting Course No 1/2001 and Basic IT Training Course No 1 and the opening
ceremony of Refresher Course 1/2001 for Administration Managers at the hall
of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading on Pansodan Street this morning.
First, the minister delivered an address and presented first, second and
third prizes and certificates to the trainees. Then, a trainee spoke words of
thanks and the minister cordially greeted the trainees.

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K 50,000 each, gifts paid to doyen literati in Yangon Division

Yangon, 19 Dec- Secretary of Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association U
Hla Tun (Hla Tun-Twantay), CEC member U Khin Swe (Shwe Sun Nyo) and Joint
Secretary of Fund-raising Group U Soe Shein (Maung Soe Htaik-Thonze) led by
Chairman U Hla Myaing (Ko Hsaung) paid respects to six doyen literati, who
could not attend the 1363 ME Sarsodaw Day and the ceremony to pay respects to
doyen literati, organized by MWJA, at their homes in townships of Yangon
Division, this afternoon. In Sangyoung Township, the MWJA chairman and party
were welcomed by Township WJA Secretary writer Maung Tha Pyay and Joint
Secretary U Hla Naing. They then paid respects and presented K 50,000 each
and gifts to three doyen literatiÑ Sayagyi U Ko Ko Gyi (Ahtu Kyei), Sayamagyi
Daw Than Swe (Daw Khin Than Swe) and Sayagyi U Aye Maung (U Aye Maung-Sarpay
Beikman). In Kamayut Township, the chairman and party paid respects to doyen
literati U Wun (Min Thu Wun). In Kyimyindine Township, they paid respects and
presented K 50,000 each and gifts to Sayagyi U Aung Thein (treatise compiler)
and Sayagyi U Hla Maung (Sarpay Beikman).
___________________________

( 6 ) Course on computation of GDP concludes

Yangon, 19 Dec - Course No 6/2001 on computation of Gross Domestic Product of
Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development concluded at the
training hall of the Planning Department this afternoon with an address by
Minister for NPED U Soe Tha. It was also attended by the directors-general of
the organization and departments under the ministry, the managing directors
of the Planning Department, officials, guests and trainees. A trainee
recounted the experiences gained during the training. Later, the minister
presented completion certificates to the trainees. Altogether 43 trainees
from Planning Department (Head Office) and state/division/district planning
offices attended the course.
___________________________

( 7 ) Blood donors honoured

 Yangon, 19 Dec- A ceremony to observe the 25th Blood Donors' Day and to
honour the blood donors was held at the Institute of Nursing (Yangon) on 15
December. It was attended by Deputy Directors-General of the Health
Department Dr Soe Aung and Col Than Aung, President of MyaNmar Red Cross
Society Dr Kyaw Win, committee members of National Blood Bank, medical
superintendents, officials, wellwishers and blood donors. On behalf of the
chairman of the Central National Blood Bank Committee Deputy Director-General
Dr Soe Aung made a speech. Then, President of MRCS Dr Kyaw Win presented 24
blankets to blood donorsÑ23 members of the Sangha and one nun. Afterwards,
the donors presented cash to Director-General Dr Soe Aung, who presented the
certificates of honour to them. Later, officials presented the badges of
honour, certificates of honour and prizes to 516 blood donors who made blood
donation 50 times and above. On behalf of blood donors, U Aung Myo Min spoke
words of thanks.

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Wellwishers invited for sinking tube-wells

Yangon, 19 Dec - The Development Affairs Committees under the Ministry for
Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs are
making concerted efforts in order to get sufficient fresh water in rural
areas in States and Divisions where there is a shortage of water. One 200
feet deep two-inch diametre tube-well costs K 250,000, one 400 feet deep
two-inch diametre tube-well K 500,000 and one 200 feet deep four-inch
diametre tube-well K 500,000. Those wishing to donate cash for the project
may contact Director-General (Ph 01-245420 and 253088), Deputy
Director-General (Ph 01-240118), Director (Engineering) (Ph 01-291967),
Director (Sagaing Division Development Affairs Committee) (Ph 071-21012),
Director (Magway Division Development Affairs Committee) (Ph 063-23164) and
Director (Mandalay Division Development Affairs Committee) (Ph 02-54657).
___________________________

( 8 )   Delegates to Traditional Medicine Practitioners' Conference tour
Yangon

 Yangon, 19 Dec - The delegates to the Second Traditional Medicine
Practitioners' Conference together with officials from the Traditional
Medicine Department continued touring Yangon today. In the morning, they paid
a visit to Traditional Medicine Hospital and Research Department in Bahan
Township where officials conducted them around there. They also visited
Yangon General Hospital, the National Museum on Pyay Road and the Second
Traditional Medicine and Medical Equipment Exhibition at Tatmadaw Convention
Centre on U Wisara Road. Officials conducted them around the exhibition.
Then, they paid homage to the Shwedagon Pagoda, and visited the Drugs
Elimination Museum at the corner of Hanthawady Road and Kyundaw Street in
Kamayut Township and Myanma Pharmaceutical Factory at Gyogon in Insein
Township. They then paid homage to the Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni image
on Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township.

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Second traditional medicine and medical equipment exhibition continues

Yangon, 19 Dec - The second traditional medicine and medical equipment
exhibition organized by the Department of Traditional Medicine of the
Ministry of Health, continued for the fifth day at the Tatmadaw Convention
Centre on U Wisara Road at 9 am today. Departmental officials, people who are
interested in traditional medicines and monks visited the exhibition and
bought medicines. There are booths of the Ministry of Forestry, Wazikayana,
Sein-nga-lon, Seinbayet, Great Wall, Shwethamin of Gyobingauk U Ye Myint,
Migathi, Zawpyan, Daw Nu, 840 Paddanmya, Awaiya and Yokpyo of Shwebo
traditional medical houses. The exhibition remains open daily from 9 am to 6
pm till 28 December and admission is free. The organizing committee will
launch a special programme for groupings of various organizations to conduct
them around the exhibition if they contact in advance Tel: 240407, 245596.

___________________________

( 9 ) Fifth anniversary of Ministry of Sports held

Yangon, 19 Dec- The ceremony to mark the fifth anniversary of the Ministry of
Sports was held at National Indoor Stadium-1 here yesterday afternoon, with
an address by Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint. Also present on
the occasion were Director-General of the Sports and Physical Education
Department U Thaung Htaik, senior officials, staff, outstanding staff,
outstanding children of the staff and athletes. Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye
Myint made an opening speech. Then, outstanding staff and athletes were
honoured. The minister presented honorary cash to those who won prizes at the
courses conducted at the Central Institute of Civil Service (Phaunggyi) and
the Central Institute of Civil Service (Upper Myanmar). Wife of the minister
Daw Aye Aye presented prizes to children of the staff from the ministry,
Director-General U Thaung Htaik to outstanding athletes who won prizes in the
XXI SEA Games, the deputy director-general and officials to record-breakers
of tournaments at home and abroad. Afterwards, a lucky draw programme was
held for the staff from the departments under the ministry.

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Age-group and Independence Day commemorative golf tournaments on 3-Jan

Yangon, 19 Dec- The 1st Leg of the Han Golf Masters New Generation Age-group
Golf Tournament and the Golf Tournament in commemoration of the 54th
Anniversary Independence Day, to be organized by Myanmar Golf Federation and
mainly sponsored by Han Golf Masters Pte Ltd, will be held, with the aim of
turning out new generation golfers, at Silvery Golf Course of Yangon City
Development Committee on 3 January 2002. In the 1st leg of the new generation
golf tournament, there will be five classes  the under-10 age class, the
11-12 age class, the 13-14 age class, the 15-17 age class and the under-18
girls' class. Those wishing to participate in the age group golf tournament
may enlist at Silvery Golf Course (Pro-shop), Tel: 641341 and Mya Yeik Nyo
(Pro-shop) Tel: 543207 and 723221, not later than at noon on 2 January 2002.
Professional golfer Kyi Hla Han will give training to those who will take
part in the two tournaments. The tournaments will be co-sponsored by Wilson,
Rapier (Golf Australia), Canon (Accel International Co Ltd), Pan-West
(Myanmar) and Star Ice-Cream.

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