Myanmar News : The New Light of Myanmar

Yearly News Archive:   By Year 2005 YEAR 2004 YEAR 2003 YEAR 2002 YEAR 2001 YEAR 2000 YEAR 1999 YEAR 1998 YEAR

Headlines

• Eighth Year National Immunization Days held

Region

• Transport Minister inspects upgrading of Heho, Lashio airports
• National Immunization Days campaign launched
• Commander inspects factories in industrial zones in Yangon North District
• Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe gives OPV to children in Yankin, South Okkalapa, Dagon Myothit townships
• Construction of new school building inspected in Taungtha
• Rules for 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day  painting, sculputre commpetitions announced
• Rules for 58th Armed Forces Day Poetry Competition announced

International Relations

• International organizations honoured for aids to NAD activities

Sport

• Live broadcast on final match of Tatmadaw soccer tourney

SPOTLIGHT

• News
  

---

Headlines

Government providing health care service to people in far-flung areas Eighth Year National Immunization Days held

Yangon, 8 Dec - The opening ceremony of the Eighth Year National Immunization Days was held at the International Business Centre this morning, with an address by Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt.

Secretary-1 said: on the National Immunization Days oral polio vaccine will be given to over six million children under five in the whole country including far-flung areas and rural areas. This task will also be launched for eight consecutive years. It is a great national effort Myanmar people are to be proud of.

The national immunization days movements were successfully launched nationwide yearly with the participation of the people. All national forces under the correct leadership of the government in harmony took part in the various tasks of safeguarding national interest with nationalist spirit.

Now the State Peace and Development Council is making endeavours to enable the Union of Myanmar to keep abreast with the development of international communities. It is also creating better economic, education, health and social conditions for improvement of all citizens to enjoy development fruits.

Health and fitness of national people is an indicator of national development and enjoyment of social improvements of the people. Therefore the government is implementing systematic plans to provide health care service to the people in far-flung areas and rural areas quantitatively or qualitatively and programme for the groups including mother and child that need special care for their health with the aim of uplift of health and fitness of the entire national people and promoting of health care service of the people.

The targets were realized due to the efforts of departments, local authorities, social organizations and cooperation of the working committees comprising delegates from various organizations. The children were injected with the vaccines of diphtheria, whooping cough, tenanus, tuberculosis and measles and OPV was given to the children at the grassroots levels for the fitness and health of future generation of the State. Success has been achieved due to the collective efforts of national forces.

In order to give OPV to all the children under five in the countries in the regions the national immunization days were designated with the aim of total eradication of polio disease by 2005 under the programme of WHO. Myanmar participated in this task for eight years. The task to silmutaneously give OPV to all the children under five in the whole country bi-annually is very great and wide.

Arrangements have been made at central and grassroots levels for giving OPV to 6.2 million children under five this year. Altogether 38,000 teams comprising 185,000 persons will give OPV to the children. Wellwisher organizations with the cooperation of the people will give OPV to the children nationwide including far-flung areas and border areas.

The national immunization days activities are being launched the length and breadth of the nation at the same time. They can be attributed to concerted and harmonious efforts of the national people, social organizations and departmental officials. With those efforts, it was a great honour to note that the national immunization days launched nationwide for seven times achieving 95 per cent and above performance.

In the first year's national immunization days, a total of 5.4 million children aged under five were given oral polio vaccine two times across the nation, in the second year 5.5 million children, in the third year 5.6 million children, in the fourth year 5.7 million children, in the fifth year over 5.8 million of children, in the sixth year's over 6 million of children and in the seventh year's over 6.1 million of children given oral polio vaccine.

This year in the eighth year's national immunization days, over 6.2 million of children will be given oral polio vaccine and the number of children who are to be given the vaccine are increasing year by year. In the international cooperation, Myanmar has made coordination with Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Thailand as well as Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China to launch the eighth national immunization days in December 2002 and in January 2003 as in the previous years.

The health activities were launched at the same time according to arrangements coordinated in advance among ASEAN nations, the spread of polio could be prevented as quickly as possible. There were 60 polio victims in 1988 in Myanmar according to information sent from the health department and there were no polio victims from 2001 to date. It can be seen that there will be almost total eradication of polio at the end of 2003.

The Myanmar Government acknowledges the national solidarity and concerted efforts for the interests of Myanmar and the World, and thanks WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, international bodies, Japan, Australia, Rotary International, JICA, Japan Vaccines for the World's Children (J.C.V) and CDC (Atlanta) on behalf of Myanmar people for their financial and technological assistance.

In conclusion, he said the tasks of the eighth national immunization days are huge and wide and they are to be carried out on the basis of loving kindness. Thus, they are the noble and meritorious tasks from which enormous benefits can be accrued. In addition, they are also the efforts to effectively serve the national interests as the tasks are to nurture the healthy children and bring up those who are capable of serving the interests of the State and its people.

Moreover, with the aim of total eradication of polio from the soil of the world including Myanmar and fulfillment of the desire of the people of the whole world, Myanmar has been making concerted efforts dutifully whatever the role she was in. Therefore, they are the endeavours in which the entire people of Myanmar can take pride.

He urged the organizations, the departments and the people to make sustained and relentless efforts as in the previous years in successful implementation of the national immunization days which will contribute much to various sectors. After the opening ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party and the guests viewed the Exhibition to mark the Eighth National Immunization Days. Then, the Secretary-1 and party and the guests gave oral polio vaccines to children under five to mark the Eighth National Immunization Days.

Region

Transport Minister inspects upgrading of Heho, Lashio airports

Yangon, 8 Dec - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe arrived at Heho Airport yesterday morning. At the VIP lounge, Director U Maung Kyay and officials of Asia World Co Ltd reported on upgrading of the runway of Heho Airport and progress of work.

Then, the minister inspected paving of tarmac and earth work on the extended runway with the use of heavy machinery. Next, the minister inspected the environs of the airport and tasks being carried out at the Air Traffic Control Tower. In the afternoon, the minister and party arrived at Lashio Airport. Commander of North-East Command Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing and Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe heard reports on extension of the runway of Lashio Airport and use of heavy machinery.

The commander, the minister and party went to the site for extension of the runway and saw over carrying out of earth work and construction of the conduit. The commander and the minister then inspected digging of the drain. Later, the commander and the minister inspected the archway and the entrance road to the airport and gave necessary instructions to officials.

National Immunization Days campaign launched

Yangon, 8 Dec - A ceremony to put the Eighth National Immunization Days into motion was held at townships in Yangon this morning.

Three teams led by Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Deputy Minister Prof Dr Kyaw Myint and Director-General Dr Wan Maung of the Health Planning Department arrived at designated townships and gave oral polio vaccine to children.

Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein led the team comprising Director of Medical Services Col Than Aung of the Ministry of Defence, Director-General of Medical Research Department (Lower Myanmar) Prof Dr Paing Soe and wife, Director-General of Medical Science Department Prof Dr Maung Maung Wint, officials, from the Ministry of Health resident representatives of UN agencies, members of social organizations from home and abroad and wellwishers.

The minister and party arrived at Maha Sandisukha Buddhist Missionary Monastery in Tamway Township where they were welcomed by Yangon East District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Aung Pyae and members, township Peace and Development Councils members, the township health officer and staff, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Working Committee for Women's Affairs, band troupe, pom pom troupe and ozi troupe of No 4 BEHS and No 5 BEHS, Tamway.

At Chindwin hall there, Township Health Officer Dr Daw Khin Than Mya reported to the minister on arrangements for the eighth National Immunization Days in the township. The minister and party then gave oral polio vaccine to 50 children under five and presented them toys.

Afterwards, the minister and party proceeded to Eagle Garden Restaurant on Waizayanta Road in Thingangyun Township where they were welcomed by the Township Peace and Development Council Chairman and members, the Township Health Officer and staff, township level departmental officials, USDA members, members of social organizations, the band troupe and dance troupe of Thingangyun Township Education Training College Primary School and No 1 BEHS in the township.

At the hall there, the minister was reported by Township Health Officer Dr Daw Myo Kyi Soe Tint on arrangements for the days in the township. The minister and party then gave oral polio vaccine to 70 children under five and presented them toys. Altogether 15,379 children under five were given OPV simultaneously at 109 designated places in the township.

Then, the minister and party arrived at Dagon Seikkan Industrial Town Nursery School on Kanaung Minthagyi Road in Dagon Myothit (Seikkan) Township where they were welcomed by the Township Peace and Development Council Chairman and members, township level departmental officials, USDA members, members of social organizations and others.

After Township Health Officer Dr Myint Kyi Aye reported to the minister on arrangements for the Days in the township, the minister and party gave oral polio vaccine to 121 children under five for the first time and presented them toys. Altogether 32,566 children under five were given OPV simultaneously for the first time at 96 designated places in the township.

The team led by Deputy Minister Prof Dr Kyaw Myint arrived at the Youth Training School (Kyaik-waing) of the Social Welfare Department in Mayangon Township this morning. They were welcomed there by Township Health Officer Dr Daw Nila Tin, the Township Peace and Development Council Secretary U Win Kyaw Oo, Township MCWA Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Mi Mi and officials and members of social organizations. Altogether 15,211 children under five were given OPV simultaneously at 64 designated places in 10 wards in the township.

The deputy minister and party proceeded to Township PeopleÕs Hospital in Shwepyitha Township where they were welcomed by Yangon North District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col San Ma Tu, Medical Superintendent of the hospital Dr Daw Phyu Phyu and officials, members of social organizations and others.

Medical Superintendent Dr Daw Phyu Phyu reported to the deputy minister on arrangements for the days in the township at the hall there and the minister and party gave oral polio vaccine to children under five. In Shwepyitha Township, OPV was given to 18,015 under-five children at 50 places in 16 wards and villages.

Then, the deputy minister and party arrived at Hsinbyushin Hall of Defence Services Orthopaedic Hospital (500-bed) in Mingaladon Township. Commandant Lt-Col Tun Tun and wife Daw Yi Yi Win, departmental officials and members of MCWA welcomed them.

Acting Head of Mingaladon Township Health Department Dr Win Win Mar reported on arrangements being made for giving OPV to the children in the township. Next, the deputy minister and party gave the vaccines to children under five at the hall. The OPV was given to 18,387 children under five years at 104 places in 26 wards and 11 villages in Mingaladon Township.

Director-General Dr Wan Maung of Health Department and party visited the ceremonies to give OPV to children to mark the Eighth year National Immunization Days in Kamayut, Insein and Hlinethaya Townships and they gave the vaccines to the children there. Directors-general, rectors, deputy directors-general, professor and directors of departments and universities under the Ministry of Health and officials of social organizations and WHO included in the group for Eighth First-time National Immunization Days.

The ceremony to launch the Eighth year National Immunization Days was held at Kamayut BEHS No 4 today. Director-General Dr Wan Maung gave a speech. Then, the director-general and party, the chairman of Township Peace and Development Council, Chairperson of Township MCWA Daw Htay Htay Win, Head of Township Health Department and officials gave OPV to 60 children under five years. The OPV was given to 4,729 children at 26 places in 10 wards of Kamayut Township.

In Insein Township, the similar ceremony was held this morning. The director-general and party and officials gave the vaccines to 82 children under five years. Altogether 110 groups gave 22,762 under-5 children at 110 places in 21 wards. The ceremony to open the Eighth First-time National Immunization Days was held at Hlinethaya Township Hospital this morning. Head of Township Health Department Dr Le Le Mu Thein reported on arrangements for giving OPV to the children. Officials then gave 100 children.

Then, wellwisher Dr Myint Oo-Dr Thida Lin Tun of 46, Wadan Street in Lanmadaw Township presented a CD-ROM and books worth about K 200,000 for the township hospital to the Director-General of Health Department. Next, the certificate of honour was presented to the wellwisher. The oral polio vaccines were given to 25,459 under-five children at 87 places in 20 wards and 15 villages of Hlinethaya Township.

Similarly, the OPV giving ceremony was held at Special Investigation Department of the Myanmar Police Force in Mayangon Township today. Likewise, the same ceremonies were held in Lanmadaw Township and Thanlyin Township today. Officials gave the vaccines to the children under five years.

Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe gives OPV to children in Yankin, South Okkalapa, Dagon Myothit townships

Yangon, 8 Dec - The oral polio vaccines giving group for the Eighth National Immunization Days led by Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, wife of Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt, arrived at Yangon Education College in Yankin Township this morning.

The Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council reported on oral polio vaccines given to the children in the township. Then, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe gave OPV to children under five years and presented toys to them. Next, they proceeded to Waizayanta Dhammayon on Waizayanta Road in South Okkalapa Township.Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party gave the vaccines to children under five years and presented toys to the children.

At the town hall in Dagon Myothit (North) Township, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party were welcomed by local authorities, departmental officials and health staff. The Township Chairman reported on OPV given to the children. Then, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party gave the vaccines and toys to 200 under 5 children. The oral polio vaccines were given to 9,030 children at 26 places in Yankin Township, 16,004 children at 43 places in South Okkalapa Township and 20,795 children at 69 places in Dagon Myothit (North & East) Townships on the Eighth National Immunization Days today.

Construction of new school building inspected in Taungtha

Yangon, 8 Dec - Secretariat member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Minister for Industry -1 U Aung Thaung on 6 December morning arrived at Taungtha Basic Education High School in Mandalay Division and inspected the completion of extended two-storey school building and attended to the needs.

Next, Secretariat member U Aung Thaung arrived at Taungtha People Hospital and comforted the patients in the new ward (25-bed) which was donated by Minister U Aung Thaung and wife Daw Khin Khin Yi. Then, Secretariat Member U Aung Thaung attended the seventh rice offering ceremony for the Ponnya-wutthana soon offering association, the monasteries and the home for the aged in Taungtha Township held at the Aungchantha Pagoda.

Taungtha Township USDA members and wellwishers led by Secretariat Member U Aung Thaung and wife Daw Khin Khin Yi donated 100 bags of rice to the Ponnyawutthana soon offering association, 225 bags of rice to 75 monasteries and 75 bags of rice to home for the aged, totalling 400 bags of rice.

In the afternoon, Secretariat member U Aung Thaung attended the ceremony to unveil the Signboard of Myayphyugon Village USDA. And he also unveiled USDA Signboard in Nanmyint Village. The Secretariat Member U Aung Thaung arrived at Weloung Station Hospital and comforted the patients. Then, he presented cash awards to the medical superintendent and nurses.

Commander inspects factories in industrial zones in Yangon North District

Yangon, 8 Dec - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe arrived at Shwepyitha Industrial Zone in Shwepyitha Township, Yangon North District, this afternoon and inspected progress in production of the factories in the industrial zone and fulfilled the needs.

First, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe came to United World Garment Factory on Kanaung Mingyi Street in Shwepyitha Industrial Zone-1 where they were welcomed by Commander of No 1 Military Region Col Tun Kyi, Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint, Chairman of Yangon North District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col San Matu and officials concerned.

Then, the commander and party inspected progress in production of the factory. Member of the board of directors U Kyaw Win conducted them round the factory. Next, the commander gave instructions to private entrepreneurs on boosting production and use of necessary electricity. Then, the commander proceeded to Shwe Thazin Syndicate Polyethylene Bag Factory on Sethmu Road in Shwepyitha Industrial Zone-1 and inspected production of polyethylene bags in the factory.

The commander heard reports on production process of polyethylene bags by factory manager U Nyo Htwe. The commander and party inspected construction of the 2.5 miles long Kyusan village bypass to be linked with No 1 Highway and No 4 Highway and the commander then gave instructions to the officials on timely completion of the road.

Next, the commander and party arrived at the central fish breeding camp being undertaken by Yangon Command in Mingaladon Township. At the briefing hall, officer in-charge Maj Thet Hlaing reported to the commander on breeding of fish, sales and production of fish in the central fish breeding camp in Mingaladon and at Shwemayin fish breeding camp in Twantay Township.

Then, the commander gave instructions to officials concerned on sales of fish produced by the fish breeding camps of Yangon Command to consumers through the tax-free markets and other markets. Later, the commander and party inspected progress in breeding fingerlings at the central fish breeding fish camp.

  Rules of 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day painting, sculpture competitions announced

Yangon, 8 Dec - As a gesture of hailing the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, which falls on 27 March 2003, the subcommittee for the holding of painting and sculpture competition and exhibition of the work committee for the organizing of poem and arts competition led by Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt (Htila Sitthu) as chairman announced that the painting and sculpture competition will be held with the following rules.

The painting competition will be divided into six categories - the first for pre-primary school level, the second for junior primary school level (kindergarten to second grade), the third for senior primary school level (third grade and fourth grade), the fourth for middle school level (fifth grade to eighth grade), the fifth for high school level (ninth grade to technological and agricultural high schools) and the sixth for professional level. There will be only one category in the sculpture competition, the wood sculpture and the plaster sculpture at professional level. Anyone may take part in both.

In the painting competition from kindergarten to high school levels, the size of the entry must be 15" x 20", and 20" x 30" for professional level. Name, NRC No, class, school, township, date of birth, father's name, address must be expressed on the back of the painting, with three 1.5" x 2"-size photos attached. For students, the endorsement of the schoolhead is needed. For the sculpture competition, the height of the entry must not be over 36" and its circumference not longer than 24". At the foot of the sculpture, name, NRC No, date of birth, father's name, address must be shown, with three 1.5" x 2"-size photos attached and send the entry right to Tatmadaw Convention Centre, U Wisaya Road, between 1 and 3 March 2003.

All the entries, painting or sculpture, must reflect the twelve objectives of the State, the objectives of 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day and the twelve fine traditions of the Tatmadaw. Entries of both professional levels should be sent to Secretary, Myanmar Traditional Artists and Artisans Asiayon (Central), Pabedan Township, Yangon, not later than 1 March 2003 or to Secretary, Subcommittee for the Holding of Painting and Sculpture Competition and Exhibition, U Wisara Road, Tatmadaw Convention Centre, Yangon, between 1 and 3 March 2003. Entries of students all over Myanmar should be sent to Development Division, Education Planning and Training Department, Natmauk Street, Bahan Township, Yangon, not later than 15th February 2003.

Apart from the entries for both competition, other paintings and sculptures may be sent to be displayed at the exhibition to be opened in honour of the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day. Those paintings and sculptures must also featured the twelve objectives of the State, the objectives of 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day and the twelve fine traditions of the Tatmadaw and should be sent directly to Tatmadaw Convention Centre, U Wisaya Road, between 1 and 5 March 2003.

Rules for 58th Armed Forces Day Poetry Competition announced

Yangon, 8 Dec - Honouring of the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, which falls on March 27, 2003, a poetry competition to be held by the Observance Committee for Poems and Arts Competitions chaired by Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt (Htilar Sitthu) was announced today.

Rules are as follows: Competitors are to reflect the objectives of the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day and fine traditions of the Tatmadaw historical events that featured national characteristics of the Konbaung Era (AD 1824), the Independence Era (from 1948 to 1988) and the State Peace and Development Council Era, religious undertakings, nation-building endeavours, efforts to ensure peace and the drug elimination activities of the State Peace and Development Council. The poem contest is divided into two categories - professional one and novice one. Prize-winners of the Armed Forces Commemorative Day Poem Competitions and the National Motto and Poem Competitions, the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award winners and the prize-winners (poem) of Pakokku U Ohn Pe Literary Award and the National Literary Award winners are to take part in the professional level competitions and those who have never won these prizes and awards are to participate in the novice one. But those who have ever won these prizes and awards, on their own accord, may take part in the professional level.

It is needed to send the entry, systematically composed and clearly written on one side of the page and two copies also needed to be sent. The entry must be own creation of the contestants. Name, pen name, parents' names, educational qualifications, occupation and address are to be sent together with two postcard-size colour photos to Lt-Col Ohn Maung (Retd) (Myinmu Maung Naing Moe), Chief Editor of Naing-Ngan Gonyi Publishing House, No 529/531, Merchant Road, Sarpay Beikman Building, Yangon, not later than 31 January 2003.

International Relations

International organizations honoured for aids to NAD activities

Yangon, 8 Dec - International organizations which rendered assistance for the Eighth National Immunization Days in Myanmar were honoured today at the Ministry of Health here this afternoon. Dr Agostino Borra, Resident Representative of WHO, Dr Takahiro Sasaki, Resident Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency and Chief of Health and Nutrition of UNICEF Dr Pirkko Heinonen and explained facts about the contribution on the occasion.

Then, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein presented certificates of honour to the JICA, UNICEF, WHO, Japanese Committee for Vaccine for the World's Children (JCV), Rotary Japan, Rotary International, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta and spoke words of thanks. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint, the directors-general and the deputy directors of the departments under the ministry, the officials of the international organizations.

Sport

Live broadcast on final match of Tatmadaw soccer tourney

Yangon, 8 Dec - The final match of the 41st Defence Services Commander-in-Chief's Shield-2002 will take place on the sports ground of the Youth Training Camp, Thuwunna, at 3 pm tomorrow. Yangon Command Team will play against the Defence Services (Air) in the match. MRTV will telecast the match live.

---