The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday, 17 January, 2002)(1/2)

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The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday, 17 January, 2002)(1/2)
-------------------------------------
1. State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General
   Than Shwe accepts credentials of Ambassador of Slovak Republic
2. The Myanmar Medical Association held its 48th Conference
3. Secretary-1, wife host dinner in honour of Myanmar physicians
   living in US, Britain
4. USDA holds mass rally to support national, rural development
   tasks in Lashio
5. - National Convention Convening Commission meets
   - Seminar on " Development Finance and Credit Analysis for
     Myanmar " held
6. - Medical team to go to Pyay
   - H& T Minister receives hotelier
   - Minister receives guests
7. - Foundation laid for day nursery of MCWA
   - Rakhine national study group tours Yangon
8. - USDA CEC member tours Shan State (East)
   - Press conference on London Myanmar Open 2002 Golf
     Tournament held
9. - Drug trafficker gets 25 years
   - Ephedrine powder seized in Mandalay

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( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe
accepts credentials of Ambassador of Slovak Republic

Yangon, 16 Jan-Mr Marian Tomasik, newly accredited Ambassador of the Slovak
Republic to the Union of Myanmar, presented his credentials to Senior General
Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union
of Myanmar, at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 10 am today. Also
present on the occasion were State Peace and Development Council Secretary-1
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U
Khin Maung Win and Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of the Protocol
Department.
___________________________

( 2 ) Cooperative efforts of government, departments, NGOs, people lead to
further improvement of nation's health standard

 Myanmar Medical Association's leading role to organize doctors  as national
force should be acknowledged

Yangon, 16 Jan - The Myanmar Medical Association held its 48th Conference at
the office the association in Mingala Taungnyunt office this morning,
addressed by Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the
State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

 Also present were ministers, deputy ministers, members of NHC, officials of
the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department,
representatives of UN agencies, Myanmar physicians residing abroad, the
president, executives and members of MMA, and guests. The Secretary-1 said at
present the government is giving special priority to development of medical
science and promotion of public health care activities.

It is believed that the physicians of Myanmar and Myanmar physicians from
abroad, who are attending this conference with the aim of serving the
national interests from the respective sectors, will seek means to make
arrangement for effective and fults realization of the State's health
objectives. The State Peace and Development Council has been striving from
all sectors for the nation to get abreast with other nations and the entire
people to fully enjoy the fruits of development.

Health and fitness is the most basic requirement in en-abling the people to
take part in the nation-building endeavours in cooperation with the
government and to enjoy the fruits of regional progress. The government is
laying down the national health plan to render health care services for all
the people in any region and to raise the efficiency of the health care
services with the aim of ensuring health and fitness for the entire nation;
due to these endeavours, the nation's health standard is improving further.

The nation's health standard is further improving due to the national peace,
progress of the socio-economy and the cooperative efforts of the government,
departments, NGOs and the people in launching the primary public health care
programmes. All the national people are joining hands to uplift the country's
health standard.

The efforts of the MMA, which is playing a leading role in organizing all the
doctors including in-service physicians and physicians of the private sector
as a national force, must be acknowledged. At present, the government is
laying down and implementing the long-term plans to accelerate the momentum
of success and developments; the plans cover a wide range of sectors
including widening of the scope of the public health care task, further
promotion of the efficiency of health care services and extension of the
advanced all-round health care services down to the villages and border
areas.

The plans also cover tasks to harmoniously promote prevention, treatment and
care and rehabilitation in order to widen the area of public health care
activities; to develop medical science, employ modern teaching aids and
methods and augment the learning opportunities of the higher level medical
branch for development of human resources; to encourage research work to
raise the standard of health and medical science; to systematically develop
the private health care sector; to promote the participation and the role of
non-governmental social organizations; to uplift the national health standard
and to promote the nationÕs cooperation with the international community in
paricipating in the global health care undertakings.

The hospitals have been upgraded, advanced hospitals have been extended and
extra modern facilities have been added to the hospitals with a view to
promoting public health care task. At present, there are 750 hospitals in the
nation, up 119 from 631 in 1988. There are now 13 township hospitals and 37
station hospitals in the border areas. The number of dispensaries has
increased to 346 at present from 247 in 1988. There are now 1,402 rural
health centres and 64 regional health centres.

In the past there were 1,337 rural health centres. Within a three-year
period, the government has used US $ 12 million from its funds to buy modern
health, medical and hospital equipment in fulfilling the health requirement.
The equipment have already been distributed to teaching hospitals and
state/division and district hospitals. More equipment will be procured to
fulfil the requirements of the remaining hospitals. Institutes of medicine
and other universities of the health sector have been extended, the teaching
and learning of medical science have been upgraded and a greater number of
master's degree and doctorate courses have been opened to produce the
qualified human resources.

 There are now 13 institutes of medicine and other universities of the health
sector. In 1988, there were only three institutes of medicine and one
institute of dental medicine. At present there are 14,893 doctors in the
nation, up from 12,268 in 1988. The government is paving the way for creating
more continuous learning opportunities for doctors.

 Up to now, seven medical doctorate courses, seven basic medical doctorate
courses, 20 master's degree courses, seven diploma courses and four medical
and pharmaceutical courses have been opened. Doctors have also been sent
abroad to continue their further studies. From 1988 to date, 36 candidates
have completed PhD courses, 72 have completed MRCP  courses, 23 have
completed MRCPCH courses, 25 have completed MRCOG courses, 58 have completed
FRCS courses, three have completed FRCS (ENT) and two have completed FRCS
(Eye) courses in foreign countries. The total number is 219. Arrangements
have been made to conduct doctorate courses in the nation as it is presumed
that the PhD-holder production rate is still slow.

 Up to now, three Dr Med Sc holders have emerged from the courses conducted
in the nation. Seventy-five candidates are still attending the courses. Two
candidate have passed the PhD courses in the nation. Thirty more are
attending the PhD courses. From 1988 to this date, 120 candidates have passed
the MRCP, MRCPCH and MRCOG courses at the Royal College. This programme is
being launched to ensure a continuous learning opportunity not only for
in-service doctors, but also for doctors working in the private field.

Thirty-eight doctors are attending courses in foreign nations. Plans are
under way to send another 47 abroad. From 1988 to now, 63 doctors have
completed the FRCS course. Four doctors are attending the course at present.
Thirty-seven more will attend the course. As the government is giving
assistance from all sectors, the performance of the doctors is further
improving. Due to provision of advanced medical equipment, the Mandalay
People's Hospital can now perform open heart surgery as in the hospitals in
Yangon.

Similarly, Kidney transplant was performed in Mandalay People's Hospital in
2001. He spoke on modern treatment such as Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary
Angiography (PTCA) and PTCA, Stent Deployment and diagnosis with the help of
Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and joining of amputation at the cardiac
unit of Yangon General Hospital. Outstanding performance of Myanmar medical
experts and physicians show that the government has given encouragement to
the tasks of raising standard of Myanma medical science, promoting of high
medical care for the people and turning out highly-qualified human resources,
he said.

It is obvious that medical experts and physicians also has taken part in the
government's efforts, he added. He said the government acknowledged and put
record on the performance of Myanmar Medical Association that organized and
led Myanmar medical experts, physicians and doctors to become a consolidated
national force in the development of health sector. He said Myanmar Medical
Association has been standing tall for over 50 years as a social organization
of high dignity.

The association also successfully carried out the lofty objectives of MMA to
promote the standard of Myanma medical science, for medical experts to study
medical science and to conduct research work, to cooperate with them and to
disseminate friendliness among them, to safeguard the dignity of treatment,
to safeguard the code of conduct of medical experts and to acquire friendly
relations with medical experts in international communities. Such conference
is held yearly for promotion of qualifications of medical experts and
discussions and research paper-reading sessions on health were also held, he
said.

It is encouraging to note that conferences on respective specialized
subjects, medical seminars, talks, workshops, refresher courses and special
courses were held after formation of 18 groups on respective subjects, he
said. Regular publication of medical magazines, journals and research papers
effectively contribute toward the uplift the standard and quality of Myanma
medical science, he said. Specialist groups of MMA made field trips to rural
areas and gave treatment and provided health care service to the people. They
participated in research works and special projects.

 These are practical performances in promotion of health care service of the
people, he said. For successful implementation of the National Health Plan,
Myanmar Medical Association is actively taking part in preventive measures in
tuberculosis, malaria, AIDS and mass movements such as birth spacing project,
breadfeeding campaign, National Immunization Days and Environment Day,
organizing the MMA doctors. Under the guidance of Head of State Senior
General Than Shwe, the five tasks on rural development are being implemented.

 Pure drinking water for rural people and uplift of their health standard are
the tasks that directly belong to the health sector, he said. He said the
Ministry of Health has laid down the rural health development project.
Arrangements are being made for implementation of the tasks in uplifting
health care service of rural people, accelerating momentum of health
education, promoting environmental health activities and controlling common
diseases in the region, he added. Organizing the doctors, Myanmar Medical
Association and specialist groups are to participate in the rural health
development project.

 He said the government is making efforts for raising standard of health
sector with the long-term objectives to promote already-achieved health care
service, to provide equal health care service to all parts of the Union, to
promote all-round health care service in rural regions and border areas,
highly performance in treatment and highly qualified human resources
development on health. Myanmar Medical Association, organizing the doctors,
is to participate in the tasks for promotion of health sector to achieve
long-tern objectives on health of the government.

The Secretary-1 urged the doctors to constantly study the development of
international medical education with losing the sight for keeping abreast
with those of international communities. He also urged specialist groups to
make endeavours for gaining high efficiency in the respective fields. In
conclusion, he urged MMA to continue to serve the interest of the nation and
the people, the doctors to make harmonious efforts for promotion of Myanma
medical science and providing full health care service and to take part in
rural development tasks without narrowing the health gap between urban and
rural areas. President of MMA Professor Dr Myo Myint formally opened the
medicines and medical equipment exhibition and guests observed the booths.

___________________________

( 3 ) Secretary-1, wife host dinner in honour of Myanmar physicians living in
US, Britain

Yangon, 16 Jan - 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 hosted a dinner in honour of Myanmar physicians residing in the
United States and Britain at Karaweik Palace Hotel here this evening.

The physicians are here to attend the 48th Conference of the Myanmar Medical
Association. Also present were ministers, the Vice-Chief of Military
Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence, the Deputy Ministers for Health, the
director of Medical Services of the Ministry of Defence, officials of the
State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, the
president and executives of MMA, the chairperson and executives of Myanmar
Maternal and Child Welfare Association and guests. Artistes entertained
guests with traditional cultural dances. Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and
wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe posed for a photo together with the physicians.
__________________________

( 4 ) Government builds four hydel power plants, 144 rural dams in northern
Shan State Shan State (North)

USDA holds mass rally to support national, rural development tasks in Lashio

Yangon, 16 Jan - To support the national and rural areas development tasks, a
mass rally, organized by Shan State (North) Union Solidarity and Development
Association, was held at Shan State Sports Grounds in Lashio on 13 January
morning.

 Present on the occasion were members of Muse, Namhkam and Kutkai township
USDAs in Muse District, members of Kyaukme, Nawnghkio, Namhsam, Momeik,
Mabein, Hsipaw, Namtu, and Mongton township USDAs in Kyaukme District,
members of Lashio, Hsenwi, Tangyan and Mongai township USDAs in Lashio
District, members of USDAs in Kunlong and Hopang township USDAs in Kunlong
District and members of Laukkai township USDA in Laukkai District totalling
over 10,000. Members of USDA marched in five columns to the sports grounds
where the mass rally would be held. The mass rally was held at 8.15 am.

 Secretary U Aye Thaung of Shan State (North) USDA presided over the rally
together with Executive Dr Lasai of Lashio District USDA and Secretary U Sai
Naw Kham Oo of Kyaukme Township USDA. Master of ceremonies and co-master of
ceremonies were Executives Daw Than Than Htay and Nang Shwe Aye of Lashio
Township USDA. Secretary U Aye Thaung of Shan State (North) USDA made an
opening speech.

 He said that the Association has been formed with the offspring of the
people with the aim of serving the national interests and it has been
actively taking part in tasks to build a new modern developed nation. The
Government has laid down 30-year long-term plans for the development of the
State. So peace prevails in the country and progress has been achieved. It is
needed to regard the tasks as a national duty, he pointed out.

 Priority must be given to the development of rural areas where over 70 per
cent of population reside and to place emphasis on five basic needs for
villages  transportation, water supply, development of agriculture and
livestock breeding, which are the main economy of the rural areas, and
improvement of health and education standard.

 The association is to implement the tasks in cooperation with people in
order to alleviate rural poverty. In conclusion, he urged the USDA members to
accept the Government's nation-building endeavours as national tasks, to
safeguard peace and tranquillity, to participate in nation-building
endeavours and to pay serious attention to rural development tasks. Then,
Secretary U Nyan Win of Lashio Township USDA tabled the motion calling for
support of development tasks being undertaken by the State.

He said the State has constructed five diversion weirs, and eight dams and
two tunnels to supply water for agricultural sector in the region. Six more
dams are under construction. In doing so, irrigated land are extended and
double-cropping can be done. During the past decade, various kinds of crop
are grown on 270,000 acres of reclaimed vacant and fallow land. In the
transport sector, more motor roads, railroads, river-crossing bridges,
airports and ports have been constructed and new ones are under construction.

 Similarly, to develop the industrial economic sector, 18 industrial zones
have been set up throughout the country and 26 hydel power stations have been
built to generate more electricity during the past decade. In Shan State
(North), hydel power stations such as Pakyethaw, Namhymaw, Namhsaung Creek
and Namhsaung Ngawn hydel power plants were built by the Government. The
regional people also built small-scale hydel power plants.

As a result, even villages on hill regions are supplied with electricity.
Altogether 678 schools have been opened in those border regions where there
was no school at all in the past. In addition, the Government is laying
emphasis on enhancing national prestige as well as preserving traditional
cultures and national character. In fact, such efforts are aimed at promoting
social standards of the nation. As regards wiping out the dangers of narcotic
drugs which are threatening the entire mankind, the Government is cooperating
with regional as well as international communities.

The Drugs Elimination Museum has been opened successfully in Laukkai in
northern Shan State. In this way, the regional people have understood the
scourge of the narcotic drugs. On the other hand, opium substitute crops are
cultivated and livestock breeding works are carried out with might and main.

 Next, Hsipaw Township USDA executive Daw Nang Khin Nyunt Lu seconded the
motion calling for support of national development endeavours of the
Government. She said that due to better transportation, one can easily and
conveniently travel from one place to another in northern Shan State where
transportation was difficult in the past.

The Mandalay-Lashio-Muse-Hsenwi-Kunlong-Chinshwe-haw-Laukkai Union Highway
has been built and smooth and secure access is available round the clock. It
is to be attributed to the farsightedness of the Government. In this regard,
private national entrepreneurs participated in constructing 339 miles of
road. In the northern Shan State, two township hospitals, seven station
hospitals and 25 rural dispensaries have been opened and eight 16-bed
hospitals were upgraded to 25-bed ones.

 Likewise, three 25-bed hospitals were upgraded to 50-bed ones. One can see
that Laukkai, Chinshwehaw, Namtip, Mongmo, Panhsan, Kaungkha and Manton which
were merely villages in the past have become towns with pucca buildings. In
the northern Shan State, 868 miles of earthen road, 899.4 miles of gravel
road, 98.4 miles of tar road, Lilu bridge, Tarkaw-et bridge, Nanting bridge
and other small bridges have been built. The former on-foot routes have been
turned into motor roads. There was no auto-telephone in northern Shan State.
Now, there are auto-telephone exchanges in seven townships. In addition,
there are now two satellite stations and 15 micro-wave links built by the
Government. Local and overseas telephone contacts can now be made
conveniently.

New schools, hospitals and dispensaries, electric power plants, industries,
agriculture and livestock breeding works have emerged here and there in the
border areas. It is undeniable fact that local people of northern Shan State
are enjoying developments which have been unprecedented in past. Regarding
the eradication of drug menace, the local people are cultivating opium
substitute crops. Industries and factories have been established. Buck wheat,
as an opium substitute crop, is put under 11,168 acres. Plantations of
perennial crops such as rubber, lychee, tea, pineapple, etc can be seen in
the northern Shan State as far as the eye can see. The Government has built a
tea factory, a marble factory, etc in Mongmo, Laukkai and Manton regions.

 As a result, the socio-economic life of the local people is promoted
remarkably. In conclusion, she seconded the motion tabled by Lashio Township
USDA executive U Nyan Win calling for support of national development tasks
being undertaken by the Government. Then, Kunlong Township USDA Secretary
Saing Kham Hsaung tabled a motion calling for participation of USDA members
in rural development tasks. He said that in Shan State (North), a total of 15
hospitals, 30 dispensaries and seven rural health care centres were opened.
In education sector, six Basic Education High Schools, nine BEMSs and 139
BEPSs have been opened. In rural area communication sector, the State
established 24 communication stations, 17 post offices and 16 telegraph
offices with genuine goodwill.

 The State laid down projects for elimination of illiteracy and enrolment of
all the children of school-going age, and successfully implemented them.
Thus, 92 per cent of all school age children are attending respective schools
and efforts are being made to reach cent per cent enrolment of children. For
ensuring supply of sufficient clean water in Shan State (North), five more
artesian-wells were sunk, eight water pumping projects, 13 lakes and four
water supply facilities were commissioned into service, and more projects for
ensuring clean water are being undertaken.

The Government is building economic infrastructures, and at the same time it
is making concerted efforts for rural development. The five rural development
tasks laid down by the State are the basic needs of rural areas; they will be
implemented with added momentum; he emphatically tabled the motion urging the
association to join hands with the State and the public, and actively
participate in carrying out rural development tasks.

Afterwards, Lashio Township USDA Executive Daw Nwe Ni Myint seconded the
motion tabled by Kunlong Township USDA Secretary Saing Kham Hsaung. She said
in Shan State (North) there are now about 287,000 USDA members and of them
over 143,000 members have attended proficiency courses; with the
participating of these members, concerted efforts for development of rural
areas and border areas in Shan State (North) are being made; and she pledged
that USDA members will keep on taking part in implementing these tasks with
might and main. So far 144 dams have been constructed in Shan State (North)
for rural development with the cooperation of the State and local residents.

The State rendered assistance for livestock breeding from a small scale to a
commercial scale. Hence there are favourable conditions for progress of
economy of rural areas. Thanks to the smooth transport between rural and
urban areas, farm produce in rural areas can easily be marketed, and it will
widely and effectively contribute toward education and health care services
needed for local people in rural areas. A total of 338 miles of gravel roads
and 173 small bridges were built; in education sector projects were
implemented for elimination of illiteracy not only in urban areas but also in
villages of border areas.

In this year projects are also being implemented for elimination of
illiteracy and opening of three-R movement sections in Mongmao and Panhsan
regions; with achieving success in promotion of health care services and
education, implementing of tasks for development of rural areas can be
speeded up in Shan State (North). Rural development in Shan State (North)
includes two tasks Ñ progress of border areas and development of national
races.

The two are indivisible. Border areas and rural areas lagged behind
development in the past due to breaking up of national solidarity. The
development has been achieved due to the farsightedness and cooperation of
national race leaders of the region. Then, the rally passed the resolutions
in support of the national and rural development tasks undertaken by the
State and participation of USDA members in national and rural tasks. Later,
the rally came to an end with the chanting of slogans.
__________________________

( 5 ) National Convention Convening Commission meets

Yangon, 16 Jan - The National Convention Convening Commission held a meeting
at the meeting hall of its office at 2 pm today. The meeting was attended by
Chairman of NCCC Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Vice-Chairmen Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and
Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and commission members. Maj-Gen Saw Lwin presided over the
meeting. The secretary of NCCC, National Convention Convening Work Committee
and National Convention Convening Management Committee reported on matters
relating to the National Convention. Members of the commission took part in
the discussions. The meeting ended with concluding remarks by Chairman
Maj-Gen Saw Lwin.

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Seminar on " Development Finance and Credit Analysis for Myanmar " held

Yangon, 16 Jan - A seminar on " Development Finance and Credit Analysis for
Myanmar ", co-sponsored by the Ministry of Finance and Revenue, the
Development Bank of Japan and Japan Economic Research Institute, was held at
the Sedona Hotel on yesterday afternoon.

Present were Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, Minister
for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Deputy Minister for
Finance and Revenue Brig-Gen Than Tun, Central Bank of Myanmar Governor U
Kyaw Kyaw Maung, directors-general and managing directors of departments and
enterprises under the Ministry of Finance and Revenue, Development Bank of
Japan Senior Executive Director Mr Fumio Inui and officials, personnel of the
State and private banks and guests.

Minister U Khin Maung Thein spoke on the occasion. He said the seminar held
today has taken place three times in Myanmar and it will be of great help to
the staff of the ministry to learn the techniques of Japan in financial
matters. Then, Mr Fumio Inui explained the purpose of the seminar. The
seminar will be held till 19 January.
___________________________

to be continued ...