[myanmar_information] The New Light of Myanmar (Friday February 7, 2003)

Subject: [myanmar_information] The New Light of Myanmar (Friday February 7, 2003)
From: Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 03:21:44 -0800 (PST)
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The New Light of Myanmar (Friday February 7, 2003)
--------------------
1. Senior General Than Shwe sends congratulations 
   to re-elected Israeli PM 
2. Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt addresses opening 
   ceremony of Third Meeting of Global Alliance for 
   Elimination of Leprosy    
3. WHO acknowledges Myanmar as leprosy, polio 
   free nation 
4. Third Meeting of Global Alliance for Elimination of

   Leprosy commences
5. Information Minister receives guests
6. Italian tourists arrive
7. Four-monthly coord meeting of Ministry of Forestry 
   held 
8. Lessons for matric students to be telecast
9. Yangon Division MCWASC Patron visits baby 
   born without anus at Children's Hospital  
10. Myanmar delegation a leaves for LPDR  
11. Video play to be telecast
12. Union Day delegates from states and divisions 
    arrive  
13. Four Nations Invitational Boxing Tournament 
    commences 

--------------------

1. Senior General Than Shwe sends congratulations 
   to re-elected Israeli PM     

Yangon, 6 Feb ? Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of
the State Peace and Development Council and Prime
Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message
of congratulations to His Excellency Mr Ariel Sharon,
Prime Minister of the State of Israel, who has been
re-elected at the general elections of Israel.

---------

2. Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt addresses opening 
   ceremony of Third Meeting of Global Alliance for 
   Elimination of Leprosy

Myanmar National Health Policy bases on Health for All
goals, its prime objective to strengthen Primary
Health Care in the country
At the end of January 2003, Myanmar has reached
Leprosy Elimination Goal

Yangon, 6 Feb ? Chairman of National Health Committee
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Deve-lopment
Council General Khin Nyunt delivered an address at the
opening ceremony of the Third Meeting of Global
Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy (GAEL) at the
Sedona Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road at 8 am today.

In his address, the Secretary-1 said: I am deeply
gratified to have this opportunity to deliver the
opening address at the Third Meeting of Global
Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy. This is the first
time that Myanmar is hosting a Meeting of Global
Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy and I wish to
extend a most cordial welcome to all the Distinguished
Participants who have come from abroad and wish them a
most pleasant stay in Myanmar. Our deepest
appreciation also goes to the Global Alliance for
Elimination of Leprosy for choosing Myanmar as the
venue for its Third Meeting.

  

Leprosy is not only a public health problem, and
because of the side effects of the disease that result
in deformity and disability, it also carries social
stigma and economic costs to the individual and the
community as well. Therefore, the World Health
Organization has set a goal of eliminating leprosy in
the world by 2005. Moreover, the WHO and its partners
launched the Global Alliance for Elimination of
Leprosy in 1999 to give further impetus to the fight
against leprosy. At this juncture, allow me to
congratulate the Global Alliance for the excellent
work implemented since its inception.

The Government of Myanmar is fully committed to
ensuring the highest possible standard of health as
one of the fundamental rights of every citizen. In
keeping with this political commitment, it has made
noteworthy efforts in improving the health of the
people especially for women and children and for
ensuring equitable access to health care in the rural
and border areas. Our National Health Policy is based
on the Health for All goals and its prime objective is
to strengthen Primary Health Care in our community.

Like other developing nations, Myanmar has to face a
number of communicable and non-communicable diseases
like tuberculosis, malaria and leprosy. Consequently,
Myanmar undertook a number of disease control
programmes. Myanmar health workers, with the
enthusiastic support of the government and the people
succeeded in controlling many devastating diseases.

I like to put on record, the importance of
multi-sectoral development, mass literacy campaign,
ever improving transport and communication system,
improving the environment such as ecology development
in Central Myanmar and environment sanitation and
clean water supply system contributed to the success
of our disease control efforts. The Leprosy Control
Programme in Myanmar is one of those disease control
programmes that have been successful in reducing the
burden of disease in our country.

Myanmar was regarded as one of the countries where
leprosy prevalence was very high. Soon after the
independence, leprosy control was included as one of
the National Health Programmes. The total number of
leprosy cases was estimated in 1954-55 at around
200,000 cases in the country. However in 1973 it was
estimated to be around 700,000 cases. Though this
Myanmar programmes was regarded as one of the best
organized and technically sound, the limitation of
daps one therapy in the treatment of leprosy made
further progress difficult and reducing the burden of
disease problematical.

The introduction of Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT), as
recommended by WHO in 1986, paved the way for
Elimination of Leprosy. At the same time, integrated
MDT service was expanded to more areas in the country
achieving 100 per cent coverage in 1995 with the
support of WHO and our partners. Under the guidance of
National Health Committee and the Ministry of Health,
and with the technical and financial support from WHO
and our international partners, elimination activities
are being carried out at grass-root level in
collaboration with various local authorities and
organizations. As a result of all these efforts, the
Leprosy Prevalence Rate now has reduced dramatically
from 39.9 in 1998 to 1.04 per 10,000 population in
December, 2002. At the end of January 2003, we have
reached our Leprosy Elimination Goal. In other words,
the leprosy prevalence will certainly decline to less
than 1 per 10,000 population in Myanmar.

Cooperation with the partners is the cornerstone of
our leprosy elimination in Myanmar. Collaboration and
mutual support among partners in developing a
comprehensive and consistent leprosy elimination has
proved to be the cornerstone of our success. This
relate not only to the financial aspects of the
programme but also to the technical and operational
side. Let me take this opportunity to thank all our
partners especially WHO, the international partners
for their keen interest and cooperation. We will
continue our efforts, especially in sustaining
elimination and in establishing an appropriate network
for the care of disabled individuals in order to
minimize its health and economic consequences.

The world has seen much progress in the struggle
against leprosy. But we must continue our efforts
until the goal set out by WHO is reached. I am
confident that the present meeting will contribute to
identifying the ways to overcome the remaining
challenges, through the concerted and coordinated
efforts. I would like to express our sincere thanks to
the organizers for their excellent arrangements. In
conclusion, may I wish you all every success in your
deliberations.

Then, the Secretary-1 had the documentary photo taken
together with Health Ministers, Deputy Ministers,
leaders of delegations from donor countries and
officials of WHO.

---------

3. WHO acknowledges Myanmar as leprosy, polio free
nation   

Yangon, 6 Feb ? Executive Director of WHO Head Office
Dr David Heymann said that Myanmar had arrived at the
stage of a leprosy free nation; and that it could be
also acknowledged as a nation that was free from polio
wild virus.

Dr David Heymann was speaking at the Third Meeting of
Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy in Yangon
today.

He also told the delegates to the meeting that the WHO
had acknowledged and honoured Myanmar?s health care
activities for her successful elimination of the two
diseases.The meeting began this morning at Sedona
Hotel. 

---------

4. Third Meeting of Global Alliance for Elimination of

   Leprosy commences

Leprosy prevalence rate in Myanmar has fallen
dramatically from 39.9 per 10,000 population in 1988
to less than 1 per 10,000 population at the end of
January 2003

Yangon, 6 Feb ? The Third Meeting of Global Alliance
for Elimination of Leprosy hosted by Myanmar was held
at Sedona Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this morning.

First, delegation member of the Union of Myanmar
Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint extended
greetings.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that all of the
countries gathered here, today, have made remarkable
progress towards attaining the goal of eliminating
leprosy as a public health problem. In Myanmar, the
leprosy prevalence rate has fallen dramatically from
39.9 per 10,000 population in 1988 to less than 1 per
10,000 population at the end of January 2003. Thus we
have  achieved the goal of elimination of leprosy. It
has taken us more than a decade to attain this goal. A
significant step was taken in 1991, when the 44th
World Health Assembly passed a resolution for
eliminating leprosy as a public health problem, at the
global level by the end of the year 2000.

With technical support from WHO, Myanmar embarked on a
strategy applying public health approach, fully
integrating curative services into the basic health
services. With strong support and guidance from the
National Health Committee, chaired by General Khin
Nyunt, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development
Council, a widespread media campaign was launched to
raise public awareness on the early signs and symptoms
of leprosy and the easy availability and effectiveness
of Multi Drug Treatment Therapy. The misconceptions
pertaining to leprosy and especially the negative
image of leprosy were addressed. The community was
mobilized through the concerted efforts of multi-sect
oral departments, the NGOs and active participation of
the community. 

After attaining our goal for elimination of leprosy,
we cannot be complacent. We must sustain elimination
and continue to strengthen our existing health
infrastructure to be able to provide leprosy services
in all parts of the country. More emphasis has to be
given to rehabilitation and surveillance. I would like
to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to
the WHO for its dedicated support and technical
assistance to the leprosy elimination programme in
Myanmar. I would also like to thank our international
partners in leprosy elimination, especially Mr Yohei
Sasakawa, President of the Nippon Foundation and
special Ambassador to GAEL, for his valuable support
and encouragement to our leprosy elimination campaign
in Myanmar. I would like to express my appreciation to
the International Federation of Anti-Leprosy
Association (ILEP), DANIDA Novartis Foundation, World
Bank and local social organizations for elimination of
leprosy for its valuable contribution and technical
guidance to make elimination of leprosy possible in
our country. Last but not the least our thanks to the
?Novartis Foundation? for supplying us with the drugs
used in the country, very liberally and without cost.

I am confident that at the end of our three-day
meeting, we will be able to come up with concrete
recommendations that will guide us in the future. I
wish you all every success in the deliberations during
this meeting and a most pleasant and enjoyable stay in
Myanmar. Please take the opportunity of going around
and doing some sightseeing.

On behalf of the chairman of the Global Alliance for
Elimination of Leprosy Leader of the Brazilian
delegation, Coordinator of Ministry of Health Dr
Gerson Fernando Mendes Pereira made an opening
address.

Afterwards, WHO SEA Regional Director Dr Uton Muchtar
Rafei and special representative of the Global
Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy Chairman of the
Nippon Foundation Mr Yohei Sasakawa gave speeches.

Next, WHO Headquarters Executive Director Dr David
Heymann said that Myanmar is a leprosy free nation as
the leprosy prevalence rate  in  Myanmar  has reached
to less than 1 per 10,000 population of leprosy
patients. WHO acknowledged Myanmar as a nation free
from polio wild virus and appreciated her health care
endeavours.

Then, all the participants had the documentary photo
taken. Next, leaders of Nepalese and Brazilian
delegations handed over duties to Myanmar delegation
leader Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint as
the meeting chairman and leader of the Mozambican
delegation Minister of Health Dr Franisco Songane as
the vice-chairman. Special Representative Mr Yohei
Sasakawa reported on leprosy elimination campaign
being undertaken by nations on the world.]

Afterwards, participants discussed leprosy prevalence
rate in the respective countries, present works for
leprosy elimination and difficulties, aims for future
tasks based on their experience and requirements of
global alliance for elimination of leprosy in all the
countries in 2005.

The second-day session of the meeting will continue
tomorrow.

In the evening, Minister for Health Prof Dr Kyaw Myint
hosted a dinner in honour of the health ministers,
leaders of the delegation and members at Karaweik
Palace. 

---------

5. Information Minister receives guests 

Yangon, 6 Feb ? Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw
Hsan received President of BTL Technology
International (Holdings) Limited (Hong Kong) Mr Lam
Sai Cheong and Vice-President Mr Wilfred Chan at his
office this evening. 

Discussions were centred on extension and upgrading of
Myanmar radio and TV programmes. Also present at the
call were Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen
Aung Thein, Director-General of Myanma Radio and TV U
Khin Maung Htay, Director-General of Information and
Public Relations Department U Chit Naing, Managing
Director of  Printing and Publishing Enterprise U
Myint Thein, Managing Director of News and Periodicals
Enterprise U Tin Kha and Managing Director of Myanma
Motion Picture Enterprise U Bo Kyi. 

---------

6. Italian tourists arrive

Yangon, 6 Feb ? Under the supervision of the Ministry
of Hotels and Tourism, sponsored by the Ministry of
Transport and arranged by Myanmar Lotus Asia Tours
Ltd, a chartered flight Lauda Air Boeing (767/300)
with 65 Italian tourists aboard landed at Yangon
International Airport this morning.

The tourists were welcomed there by officials of the
Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and Myanmar Lotus Asia
Tours Ltd and national race girls of cultural dance
troupe of the Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services. They
will visit Yangon-Bagan-Popa-Mandalay-Pindaya-Inle
trip and leave here on 13 February. 
 
---------

7. Four-monthly coord meeting of Ministry of Forestry
held 

Yangon, 6 Feb ? Third four-monthly coordination
meeting of the Ministry of Forestry was held today at
the Forestry Department here with an address by
Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone.

At the meeting the minister  gave instructions on
matters relating to exceeding the targets, staff
welfare and achieving succeess in works. The meeting
was also attended by the directors-general, managing
directors and officials of the departments under the
ministry. 

---------

8. Lessons for matric students to be telecast 

Yangon, 6 Feb? With the aim of uplift of national
education Electronic Data Broadcasting System was
launched on 1 January 2001 after opening of learning
centres at the universities, institutes, degree
colleges, colleges and basic education schools.

Professors of the universities will give talks on
respective lessons for students who will be taking the
2003 matriculation examination through the learning
centres this month.

Myanmarsar, English and mathematics will be telecast
from 10 am to 2.55 pm on 14 February; English and
mathematics from 10 am to 2.55 pm on 15 February;
physics, chemistry and biology from 10 am to 2.55 pm
on 16 February; chemistry, biology, physics and
geography from 10 am to 3.55 pm on 17 February;
biology, history, economics and optional Myanmar on 18
February; economics, geography, history and optional
Myanmar on 19 February. Experimental telecasting will
be made from 9 to 13 February. Students are requested
to watch the telecast lessons at the learning centres
at the basic education schools. 

---------

9. Yangon Division MCWASC Patron visits baby 
   born without anus at Children's Hospital     

Yangon, 6 Feb ? Patron of Yangon Division Supervisory
Committee for Maternal and Child Welfare Association
Daw Khin Thet Htay, Chairman of Yangon Division
Supervisory Committee for  MCWA Head of Yangon
Division Health Department Dr Thein Win Naing and
party visited the baby who had no anus since birth
this evening. The baby from Coco Island region was
provided treatment at Yangon Children?s Hospital under
the arrangements of Yangon Division Supervisory
Committee for MCWA.

At 3.30 pm, Daw Khin Thet Htay and party, together
with Medical Superintendent Dr Mya Thein of Yangon
Children?s Hospital and Paediatrician Professor Dr
Maung Maung, viewed the baby and presented gifts and
snacks to the baby. Then, Medical Superintendent Dr
Mya Thein reported on matters related to Children?s
Hospital. Next, Daw Khin Thet Htay presented gifts and
certificates of honour of Yangon Division Super-visory
Committee for MCWA to Dr Mya Thein and Prof Dr Maung
Maung.

The Yangon Division MCWA Supervisory Committee finds
inborn invalid children and helps to give treatment to
them in accord with the instructions of Myanmar
Maternal and Child Welfare Association (Central). 

---------

10. Myanmar delegation a leaves for LPDR     

Yangon, 6 Feb ? The eight-member Myanmar delegation
led by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin
Maung Win left here by air for the Lao People?s
Democratic Republic yesterday evening to attend the
Third Meeting of Myanmar-Laos Border Authorities at
Central Level to be held from 6 to 8 February. 

The Myanmar delegation was seen off at Yangon
International Airport by Minister for Foreign Affairs
U Win Aung, directors-general of the departments under
the ministry and officials. The delegation comprises
high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Defence, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce
and the Ministry of Immigration and Population, and
the chairman of Tachilek District Peace and
Development Council. 

---------

11. Video play to be telecast              

Yangon, 6 Feb ? The video play entitled ?Ye-ma-char
Myay-ma-char? will be telecast on 9 February evening
on MRTV and Myawady channels. The play is directed by
Khin Zaw and the cast include Nay Hsan, Phyo Ngwe Soe,
Pyay Ti Oo, Pa Pa Win Khin, Pyae Sone Shin and Ei Ei. 

---------

12. Union Day delegates from states and divisions
arrive      

Yangon, 6 Feb ?   A total of 150 delegates of
traditional cultural troupes and USDA members from
Kayah State, Taninthayi Division, Chin State and
Rakhine State arrived here  today to attend the 56th
Anniversary Union Day.

The 56th Anniversary Union Day Reception and
Accommodation Sub-committee Chairman Yangon Station
Commander Commandant of Defence Services Records
Office Brig-Gen Myo Myint , sub-committee secretary
Commander of No 1 Transit Centre Lt-Col Tin Kyaing and
officials welcomed them at Yangon International
Airport. 

---------

13. Four Nations Invitational Boxing Tournament 
    commences 


Yangon, 6 Feb ? Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee
Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint attended
the opening ceremony of Four Nations Invitational
Boxing Tournament held at the National Indoor
Stadium-1 in Thuwunna this afternoon and extended
greetings.

First, athletes of Myanmar Team-A, Myanmar Team-B and
the teams of the Republic of Korea, Laos and Pakistan
took the designated positions.

Then, Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint extended
greetings. He said: on behalf of the government of the
Union of Myanmar and also of Myanmar Olympic
Committee, I would like to extend my warmest
greetings, to all the participants and to everyone
involved in the 4 Nations Invitational Boxing
Tournament 2003.

First of all I am very pleased to welcome all
participants to the Golden Land of Myanmar for this
Invitational Boxing Tournament.

Boxing is one of our country?s favourite sports. We
love this sport and we are proud and delighted to host
this Tournament. At this moment, we are trying to
uplift and promote our sports level, and this
tournament will be one  of our steps, for the
promotion of boxing. As you may aware that, events
such as this, will certainly ensure the growth and
popularity of the sport throughout the country.

We believe that, through this tournament, not only the
athletic abilities of the participants is developed,
but even more important, a sense of fellowship and
goodwill, will further strengthen the true Olympic
Spirit. It would also help to promote cooperation,
friendship and friendly rivalry amongst our nations.

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and
thanks, to the Myanmar Boxing Federation, sponsors,
the organizers and all the officials and helpers, who
have worked so hard in organizing this event. And I am
sure that, your efforts will be rewarded with some
wonderful boxing matches.

Last but not least, my best wishes to all the boxers,
who in this tournament, would be able to show the
boxing skills, abilities and fighting spirit, that
would make them the future World Champions.

With our warm Myanmar hospitality and culture,
embracing you, I wish you all the best of luck, and
hope that you can make the best of your time, with
full enjoyment during your short stay in Yangon,
Myanmar.

Afterwards, the minister cordially greeted the
participants. Then, the tournament began. Yan Lin Aung
(Myanmar-A) beat Nyein Aung (Myanmar-B) and Zaw Myo
Min (Myanmar-B) beat Si Kham (Laos) in 45 kilo
division. Sai Zar Ni Aung (Myanmar-A) beat Lee
Kyoung-Yeo (ROK) in 51 kilo division, Kyaw Kyaw Latt
(Myanmar-A) beat Jeon Yong-Jin (ROK) and Aung Tun Lin
(Myanmar-B) beat Aqeel Ahmed (Pakistan) in 54 kilo
division, Soe Yaza (Myanmar-A) beat Yun Ki-Won (ROK)
in 57 kilo division, and Kim Dae-Moon (ROK) beat San
Lwin (Myanmar-B) and Kim Sang Ho (ROK) beat Myo Thet
Aung (Myanmar-A) in 60 kilo division.The tournament
continues at  2 pm tomorrow. 

--------------------
http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/

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