Unprecedented progress made in storm-hit regions thanks to concerted efforts of government, entrepreneurs, well-wishers

Chairman of the State Peace and Develop ment Council Commander- in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, accompanied by member of the SPDC General Thura Shwe Mann, Chairman of National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee Prime Minister General Thein Sein, member of the SPDC Lt-Gen Tin Aye, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander- in-Chief (Air), senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Kyaw Swe, the ministers, the deputy ministers and officials, left Pathein byhelicopter yesterday morning and arrived in Hainggyigyun at 10.50 a.m. Along the route, Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected the development of Kyonku and Zeegyaingt villages. Next, Senior General Than Shwe and party looked into rehabilitation and construction tasks in Hainggyigyun region, progress in reconstruction of residential structures,basic education schools, hospital, dispensary, departmental buildings and religious edifices in a motorcade. At the meeting hall of Hainggyigyun, Brig- Gen Myo Myint Than of local station reported on rehabilitation of the storm-hit Hainggyigyun and work carried out for regional development to the Head of State and party. Details of his reports include salient points of Hainggyigyun,reconstruction of hospital, schools, monasteries and religious buildings in storm-hit Hainggyigyun by Shwe Than Lwin, AryonOo, FMI, Moe Kye Sin, Thein, AMC and Tet Lan Companies, distribution of relief items, reconstruction of roads in wards and village-to-village roads and bridges, distribution of paddy seeds, tractors and cattle for timely cultivation of monsoon paddy, progress in cultivation of monsoon paddy, supply of fishing boats and nets, restoration of import of fish, prawn and crabs, distribution of water pumps, power tillers and fuel. Next, Commander Maj-Gen Kyaw Swe reported on other salient points.
After hearing the reports, Senior General Than Shwe stressed the need for officials concerned to rehabilitate and construct. Hainggyigyun phase by phase so that it can possess the characteristics of a town and to regenerate local business until it returns to normal, while striving for ensuing better transport. Next, Senior General Than Shwe and party viewed the rehabilitation and development of Hainggyigyun from the meeting hall’s view point.Afterwards, Senior General Than Shwe and entourage left Hainggyigyun by helicopter and arrived in Kyaukkalat village at 12.30 pm. Along the route, they looked into construction of Labutta-T h o n g w a - O t t w i n - Hteiksun road and development of Chaungwa, Pyinkhayaing, Hteitsun and Phondawpyi villages The Head of State and entourage were welcomed
there by Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint who is supervising the rehabilitation and construction of Ngapudaw Township, departmental officials and local people. Later, Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected progress in reconstruction of houses, schools, dispensaries and offices in Kyaukkalat, Phonsoegyi and Konthaya villages and construction of gravel roads. At the briefing hall in Kyaukkalat village, Minister for Mines Brig- Gen Ohn Myint reported on tasks carried out in rehabilitation of Ngapudaw Township such as construction of rural houses, rehabilitation of hospitals, dispensaries, schools by AryonOo, FMI, Tet Lan, Myint Myat Ahlin and Mitta Foundation Companies, cultivation of monsoon paddy in Ngapudaw Township, distribution of paddy seeds, power tillers, cattle and arrangements for cultivation of summer paddy, distribution of fishing boats and nets, reconstruction of schools, dispensaries and religious edifices by Shwe Than Lwin, Tet Lan, Thein, AryonOo, AMC and Moe Kye Sin Companies, construction of two-storey school building, disbursingof loans for full regeneration of salt industry, emergence of motorcycles, private bus line, boat line, shops, video lounges, arrangement for construction of cyclone shelters, construction of L a b u t t a - T h o n g w a - Ottwin-Hteiksun road and cultivation of crops on a manageable scale to Senior General Than Shwe and party. After hearing the report, Senior General Than Shwe spoke of the need to make arrangement for ensuring drinking water, electricity and roads in rehabilitation of Hteiksun, Kyaukkalat and Konthaya villages, for timely completion of Labutta-Thongwa- Ottwin-Hteiksun road as it plays a leading role in regional development and to strive for ensuring electricity with the use of bio-gas and solar energy. Senior General Than Shwe continued to say that the strong cyclone hit some villages and left heavy loss and casualty. However, as the government, construction entrepreneurs and well-wishers were able to engage in rehabilitation and construction of the storm-hit regions, unprecedented progress has been made in those regions.He said that those who observe the situation of the regions are now witnessing the fruitful results of development enjoyed by local people, and spoke of the need for officials concerned to make continued efforts for improvement of socio-economic status of local people including development of education, health and business of villages.
At the same time, cyclone shelters are to be built in case of a disaster and cyclone preparedness drills are to be launched for local people to be able to face natural disasters, he noted. Next, the Head of State and entourage observed the beach from the briefing hall’s view point and greeted local people of Kyaukkalap village. Senior General Than Shwe and party left Kyaukkalat Village in Ngapudaw Township by helicopter. They inspected reconstruction of Thingangon, Thetkalthaung, Thingangyi people, members of social organization and officials. The Head of State inspected reconstruction of Pyinsalu, construction of houses, offices, hospitals, dispensaries and schools and growing of shade trees and windbreak plants. Senior General Than Shwe and party went to the Max Myanmar office of rehabilitation and construction of Pyinsalu. Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt reported on massive losses and measures taken for rehabilitation and reconstruction, Senior General Than Shwe observed a map showing Pyinsalu and its environs and gave guidance to officials. Next, Commander Maj-Gen Kyaw Swe reported on production of monsoon paddy, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun on construction of Labutta-Thingangyi- Pyinsalu Road, Minister for Livestock and Fishersooner in case of emergency. On his way to Pathein, Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected construction of Labutta-Thingangyi- Pyinsalu road from the helicopter. They arrived in Pathein at 4 p.m.

Senior General Than Shwe pays homage to pagodas in Bagan-NyaungU

Senior General Than Shwe inspects progress in bank erosion prevention task at Lawkananda Sacred Tooth Relic Pagoda.—

NAY PYI TAW, 18 Dec—Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, accompanied by State Peace and Development Council member General Thura Shwe Mann and party, paid homage to pagodas in Bagan-NyaungU at 11.30 a.m. yesterday. The Senior General and party offered flowers,
water and oil lights to Lawkananda Sacred Tooth Relic Pagoda. Next, the Senior General made cash donations for the pagoda through the pagoda board of trustees and paid homage to the pagoda clockwise. Senior General Than Shwe inspected tasks of prevention against bank erosion of Ayeyawady River at the pagoda.
At Shwezigon Pagoda, the Senior General and party paid homage to Kakuthan Buddha Image at the eastern archway. After paying obeisance at the pagoda, the Head of State and party donated cash to the trust funds of the pagoda through the pagoda board of trustees. Next, they paid homage to the pagoda clockwise. The Head of State and party proceeded to Bagan Archaeological Museum. At the meeting room, Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint reported to the Senior General on the background history of themuseum and preservation of cultural heritage.
After hearing the reports, the Senior General gave necessary guidance and signed in the visitors’ book. The Senior General viewed gold Buddha image and silver Buddha image, 12 inches in height, 11 inches in width between two knees of the image and five inches in thickness cast in 12th Century, found at the Pagoda No. 1515 near Myebontha Phayahla in Bagan, the bronze water lily bud cast in 11th Century and dolomite plaque and dolomite Buddha image of
Bagan era, bronze Buddha image, fossil ivory parts of ancient elephants and fossil molars. At Ananda Pagoda, the Senior General and party offered flowers, water and lights to the Buddha
image at the western archway and paid homage to the pagoda. The Senior General also paid homage to the Buddha images in the tunnel of the Ananda Pagoda clockwise and made cash donations. At Hsinmyarshin Pagoda, the Senior General and party paid obeisance to the Buddha image offering flowers, water and lights and made cash donations to the funds through the pagoda board of trustees. Later, they paid homage to the pagoda.

Strive for success of modern farming

Agriculture sector plays extensive role in the economic growth of the country. The government has been implementing plans to develop agriculture including reclamation of new land, availability of water for agricultural purpose, boosting per acre yield and production of high quality products. Local farmers in cooperation with entrepreneurs are making endeavours to introduce modern farming after establishing agricultural zones in Dagon Myothit region, Yangon Division, which has a lot of fallow and vacant lands. Reclamation of lands, digging of
canals and land preparations are being carried out with the use of heavy machinery. If we study each region we will see agriculture contributes towards not only sufficiency of food but improvement of socioeconomic life of the local farmers. The farmers will surely enjoy benefits
through reclamation of fallow and virgin lands, cultivation of quality high-yield paddy strains
and application of modern cultivation methods. The government on its part is providing requirements for agricultural development including supply of adequate irrigation water, minimizing loss and wastage of crops, wide utilization of farm implements. Considering the population and consumption, the country has rice surplus. However, continued efforts are to be made for boosting production of paddy like other riceexporting countries. It is needed to focus not only on paddy but also on other marketable crops such as beans and pulses, corn and sesamum. Making use of the government’s assistance for agriculture, local farmers are to cultivate quality high-yield strains with the application of modern cultivation methods in order to develop national economy.

7th Myanmar ICT Week 2008 in PyinOoLwin

NAY PYI TAW, 15 Dec— The opening ceremony to mark the 7th Myanmar ICT Week of 2008 was held in the compound of Yatanarpon Teleport Building of Yatanarpon Myothit in PyinOoLwin Township on 12 December. Present on the occasion were Minister for Agriculture
and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo, Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister for Energy
Brig-Gen Lun Thi, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, Minister for Electric Power No.1 Col Zaw Min, Minister for Education Dr Chan Nyein, Minister for Forestry Brig-Gen TheinAung, Chairman of Mandalay City Development Committee Mayor Brig-Gen Phone Zaw Han,senior military officers, deputy ministers, departmental heads, officials of Myanmar Computer Federation, IT professionals form home and abroad, domestic and foreign
entrepreneurs, locals from PyinOoLwin district of Mandalay Division, members of social organizations, teachers, students, pom pom troupes and guests. Chairman of ENational Task Force Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw officially
opened the 2008 7th Myanmar ICT Week. Next, ministers and officials viewed displayed
advanced hi-tech IT products and electronics of companies from home and abroad. The 2008 7th Myanmar ICT Week will be held from 12 Dec to tomorrow with seminars and workshops at

Yatanarpon Teleport main building during the ICT week.

Nurture citizens on whom the State can rely

Teachers of the education sector are a strong national force capable of nurturing and training human resources that are required in various sectors in the process of building a new modern developed disciplineflourishing democratic nation. Realizing the history of the State, efforts of the government in building a new nation and the national objectives, all the teachers will have to be fully equipped with national outlooks and nationalistic fervour. The government has paved the way for building a new modern developed disciplineflourishing democratic nation by building a large number of infrastructures. As efforts are being made to effectively utilize natural resources in agriculture and manufacturing sectors while striving for development of human resources, the education standard of the entire nation has enhanced both in form and essence during the period of two decades. There are a series of socio-economic challenges in the 21st century. The teachers capable of guiding the youths to the respective fields in line with their bent and good prospects are to produce intellectuals and intelligentsia required in building a new nation. Meanwhile, teachers who are helping shape the future of the State should
possess political, economic and social outlooks, nationalistic fervour and upright morale.
As dutiful citizens with strong convictions are the strength of the nation, all the teachers are to try their best to produce citizens on whom the State can rely and for the development of human resources.

Senior General Than Shwe inspects development tasks of Yatanarpon Myothit Project and National Kandawgyi Gardens

NAY PYI TAW, 14 Dec—Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-
in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe went on an inspection tour of ongoing Yatanarpon Myothit Project and developing National Kandawgyi Gardens, in PyinOoLwin on 11 December and gave necessary guidance. Senior General Than Shwe, accompanied byMember of the SPDC General Thura Shwe Mann, Secretary-1 of the SPDC Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and Members, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, commanders, ministers, military officers and officials of the SPDC Office, arrived at YatanarponMyothit Construction Project site near mile post No. 27/0 on Mandalay- PyinOoLwin motor road in PyinOoLwin township at 11.30 a.m. and inspected progress in allotting lands to implement housing projects and IT workshops in a motorcade.

Next, Senior General Than Shwe and party oversaw conditions of Incubation Centre buildings and the project area. Afterwards, Senior General Than Shwe was conducted round Incubation
Centre No. 7 by Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw and
officials while inspecting booths of private companies, E-Telegram booths of Myanma Telecommunications.
When Senior General Than Shwe and members arrived at Yatanarpon Teleport, which is the
main building of the project, ministers, deputy ministers, the Mandalay Mayor, members of committee for building Yatanarpon Myothit, officials and IT experts of Myanmar Computer Federation and entrepreneurs welcomed them.
At the briefing hall of Yatanarpon Teleport, Senior General Than Shwe and party heard reports onof soils in an area of 10,000 acres of project site, land preparations, progress in constructing factories and office buildings, housing project area and progress of implementation presented
by Chairman of Mandalay Division PDC Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe.
Next, Chairman of Myanmar Electronic NationalTaskforce Chairman of Supervisory Committee for Building Yatanarpon Myothit Minister for CPT Brig-Gen Thein Zaw presented reports to Senior General Than Shwe and party on progress in building Yatanarpon Myothit.
He reported that Yatanarpon Myothit Project will be implemented in two phases. In the first phase the project area is 2,200 acres where a teleport and seven structures for incubation centre have been built. Altogether 13 local and foreign companies have proposed to invest in IT industry including designs of factories, items to be manufactured and arrangements forproducing human resources.
He also reported on allotment of land, construction of roads, installation of communication
equipment, supply of water and power and efforts for establishment of a modern town full of IT industries.
Next, Chairman of Mandalay City Development Committee Mayor Brig-Gen Phone Zaw Han reported on implementation of housing project in the north of Yatanarpon Myothit in cooperation with private companies, rules and regulations issued for residents to buy plots of land and 194 plots of land allotted.
Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung and Minister for Industry-1 U Aungmatters related to IT industries.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and member of SPDC Lt-Gen Tin Aye reported on development of IT industry. Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance on coordination for establishment of IT factories of the companies that have invested in this
field as soon as possible, land allotment for investors and residential housing units.
Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected charts of Yatanarpon Myothit Construction
Project and observed modern computers and accessories and IT equipment.
Senior General Than Shwe and party went to National Kandawgyi Gardens and visitedflower plantations at the third flower festival. They were conducted round the festival by Minister for
Forestry Brig-Gen Thein Aung and officials of Myanmar Floriculturists Association.
At the flower festival, altogether over 7 million flowers of 16 local species and over 70 foreign species were on show with 15 flower displays depicting the map of Myanmar and arbour for the royalty in the palace garden, two lions, flower hills, Nan Myint Tower, aircraft, ship, snow flower, etc.
The aim of the flower festival is to enable flower-lovers to observe a wide array of flowers at a place at the same time and to attract local and foreign tourists by holding such a grand flower festival yearly.
Next, Senior General Than Shwe and party looked into the development of the National Kandawgyi Gardens and recreation of the people.
Afterwards, Senior General Than Shwe and party proceeded to the modern orchid garden in
the National Kandawgyi Gardens where they were conducted round by MinisterBrig-Gen Thein
Aung and officials.
The modern orchid was established with the aim of flourishing foreign and local orchids and preserving orchids of Myanmar species.
Altogether over 300 local orchid species from states and divisions and hybrid orchids are grown
in the orchid garden.

7th Myanma ICT Week 2008 in Yatanarpon Teleport for IT enthusiasts

Myanmar is striving for rapid development of information technology to be able to catch up with the advancement of IT the global countries have made. On 3 December morning, I had an opportunity to visit the Information and Technology Department ofYatanarpon Teleport in Yatanarpon Myothit being built by the government for the emergence of an IT City at mile post

27/0 on Mandalay- PyinOoLwin Road in PyinOoLwin Township. The Yatanarpon Teleport where the Seventh Myanma ICT Week 2008 will be held soon was established on 30 June 2006. On 14 December 2007, the Head of State attended the opening ceremony of the building of Yatanarpon Teleport and opened it. The Yatanarpon Teleport is being constructed on 10,000 acres of land. The Teleport has been facilitated with a four-lane concrete entrance road. Moreover, one 5.6 miles long twolane concrete road and one 12.7 miles two-lane earth road have been completed and more roads are under construction. At the Myothit, ADSL Internet will be accessible through the fibre optic communication system, the under water cable Internet system and the transnational Internet system. The building of the Teleport is being facilitated

with WiFi, Wimax and Broadband 7th Myanma ICT Week 2008 in Yatanarpon Teleport for IT enthusiasts Article & Photos: Tin Maung Photo shows scale model of digital auto-exchange, transmission equipment and factory to produce MDF and telephone accessories of Tamoenye Chan Thar Tun Wai Co on No. 13 plot of Yatanarpon Myothit Project. Incubation Wireless Internet Access. Moreover, applications and machinery for satellite communication system,
auto-telephone system, mobile telephone system and cable TV system have been installed for
those who will live in the Myothit, companies and business organizations. Potable water

from Hsinlan and Sitha Dams are being provided to the Myothit and arrangements

have been made to supply electricity to the new town round theclock. At the Teleport, the
soft Based Factory project is being implemented. At present, the ICT Main Complex of the Teleport and seven buildings to serve as the Incubation Centre were completed. Plans are under way to build the International Software, the Local Software, the Commercial & Service, the Park & Convention, the Training Center, Research & Development and the Southern
Residential Area. In the northern part of the Myothit, Mandalay City Development Committee started the construction of Private Housing Estate Project. Those wishing to buy the plot for their residence at the housing estate are to follow the disciplines for the dwellers prescribed by
the MCDC. Furthermore, water, power and road transport facilities will be provided for the residents. Furthermore, a world class computer training centre will be established. The
Teleport located in the area with favourble weather condition has easy access to Anisakhan Airport and other regions through road transport link. Therefore, a total of 35 joint venture
companies at home and from abroad invested in the Yatanarpon Myothit Project to produce different types of IT items and accessories. So far, the ICT Weeks have been held for six times in the country for development of the human resources based on IT. The 7th Myanmar ICT
Week 2008 will be held at Yatanarpon Myothit from 12 to 16 December with the aims of enabling the IT enthusiasts to understand the development of IT and relevant knowledge at the IT exhibitions, disseminating the IT knowledge to the youth, uplifting the IT capacity of the youth through the IT exhibitions, enabling the visitors and IT enthusiast youth to apply the modern IT accessories, enjoy the entertainments at the exhibition and view the progress of IT and latest IT products at the Yatanarpon Teleport. At the ICT Week, experts and technicians
will submit papers and give lectures on advancement of modern IT products at the IT workshops and seminars, paper-reading sessions and educative talks. The tasks based on the IT progress of youth will contribute to development of the State economy. Local IT companies
will open over 70 booths to display the latest IT products to the visitors. Companies will sell
modern products related to IT technology at reasonable prices. The ICT Week will be organized
with the programmes of modern ICT product lucky draws, model shows, Miss IT 2008 contest and IT games and handsome prizes will be awarded to the winners. During the ICT week, vocalists will entertain the visitors with variety of songs. Moreover, arrangements are being made to perform entertainments for visitors with the programmes of MRTV-4, City FM, Mandalay FM through LED Indoor and Outdoor monitors. Express buses will ply forthevisitors of the ICT Week from Zaygyo in Mandalay to Yatanarpon Myothit and the bus fare will be fixed
at K 500 per head. Officials have made arrangements for the students to visit the ICT Week exhibitions. As such, IT enthusiasts and the people may not only view the modern IT products at the exhibitions of the ICT Week but also the scenic beauty of the Hill Station and the floral festival inPyinOoLwin.

Cut number of malaria victims by half in year 2010

The government has laid down and is implementing the national health policy for successful realization of one of the social objectives— uplift of health, fitness and education standards of the entire nation. Malaria is one of the six major diseases faced by the nation. It triggers not only a health related problem but also a social related problem. Globally, the number of people who are infected with malaria yearly is from 300 to 500 million, thereby causing about 2 million deaths. About 700,000 people in Myanmar are infected with malaria yearly. Malaria could affect not only the victims and their families but also national economy. Since 2000, the government has been taking steps to reduce the number of deaths caused by malaria by half in the year 2010. Man is infected with malaria after being bitten by mosquitoes that carry protozoal parasites. Such malaria-borne mosquitoes usually bite people at night. Everyone regardless of age could fall victim to malaria. Those who move from malaria-free regions to malaria-stricken regions are more susceptible, and once infected it could prove serious. Preventive measures such as imparting knowledge to the people, using mosquito nets treated with insecticide, cultivating the habit of visiting hospitals and receiving proper treatment need to be widely carried out. Preventive measures against the fatal disease are to be taken with the participation of the entire national people with a high level of health awareness. Only then, will the nation be able to reduce the number of malaria victims by half in the year 2010.

Success of tea-growing calls for concerted efforts

The government is making its utmost efforts for boosting production of tea. Teagrowing is a lucrative business. Cultivation acreage is extended every year. In Chin State, a hilly area in the west ofMyanmar, tea can be grown well as it is a fertile region for growing tea. The state has an
area of over 8.9 million acres. Only 500,000 acres of land have been put under crops and thus many acres are left to grow tea. Tea is widely grown in Shan and Chin States. Model plantations of tea are being established in Natyaykantaung region in Ngaphe Township in Minbu District and Mt Popa garden area in Kyaukpadaung Township. Natyaykantaung region in Ngaphe Township is a favourable region for growing tea. Tea can easily be transported to the markets in Pyay in Bago Division (West), Magway Division and Rakhine State. The government is making
arrangements for implementation of 2,000 acres of tea in 2009 under the supervision of the Ministry of Forestry after promoting investment opportunities to the private investors. Tea will be grown on every available land of Mt Popa garden area of Forest Department in Kyaukpadaung Township which has a favourable condition for tea. Growing of tea contributes towards not only increasing job opportunities but raising socio-economic life of the people in those regions.

NAY PYI TAW, 4 Dec — Maj-Gen Min Aung Hlaing of the Ministry of Defence together with Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of North-
East Command Maj-Gen Aung Than Htut and departmental officials on 2 December visited edible oil crop (oil radish) plantation of farmer U Tin Yan at Shwemuhtaw Village in Nawnghkio
Township.Next, Maj-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the commander inspected samples of edible oil crop strain, sample oil and oil radish plantation. During the tour, he met with officers and other
ranks of the Station Command at Dokhtawady Hall and presented clothes and foods to families of the station. Next, he visited thrivingoil radish plantation in the command. At Taungshe Hospital in the township, Maj-Gen Min Aung Hlaing visited the hospital and provided medicines and equipment to the hospital. Afterwards, he inspected Naungshwe- Yerkhsuk-Indaw-Taungkham- Nawnghkio road section and maintenance of Dokhtawady Bridge (Nawnghkio). Next, he visited construction of Basic Education High School (Lonca) at the village and made cash donations. Next, he inspected Thein Yadana Oil Mill at Shwemuhtaw in
Nawnghkio Township,and harvesting of Hsinshawli paddy plantation of farmer U Sai Tun
Oo at Naungan Village in Kayukme Township.

Prevent and control HIV/ AIDS collectively

Today, AIDS is spreading rapidly like an epidemic throughout the world. So, many countries are paying special attention to AIDS control measures and taking care of those infected with HIV.

Myanmar is launching AIDS control campaigns at the national level. In the process,the Central Committee for Prevention and Control of AIDS was formed in 1989. The committees at state
and division, district and township levels are stepping up AIDS control measures. In particular, they are working together with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and internal NGOs for prevention of HIV infection against women and caring for women infected with HIV. At the same time, the committees at all levels are providing consultancy, giving educative talks and rendering effective treatments to the victims. The United Nations AIDS
body announced that as a result of those measures, Myanmar’s HIV/AIDS cases dropped
from0.94 per cent in 2000 to 0.67 per cent in 2007. Myanmar is playing an active role in AIDS prevention and control campaigns hand in hand with UN agencies and international NGOs.
AIDS has adverse effects not only on the health but also on social and economic development of world people. Therefore, the entire people have to participate in HIV/ AIDS control campaigns in collaboration with departments concerned and social organizations and console and look after the victims.

Traditional medicine practitioners

The ninth Myanmar Traditional Medicine Practitioners’ Conference was held at the Ministry of Health in Nay Pyi Taw the other day. In his message to the conference, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council SeniorGeneral Than Shwe urged Myanmar traditional medicine practitioners to make collaborative efforts with might and main
through the conference, taking full advantage of the encouragement and assistance of the government in order to
provide better health care to the people across the nation including rural and border areas. The Head of State also exhorted them to improve Myanmar traditional medicine practitioners’ therapies and potency of traditional medicines through advanced methods and raise the standard of Myanmar traditional medicine. Myanmar traditional medicine is, indeed, a national legacy that has improved in conformity with the country’s geographical features, climate patterns, culture, customs and traditions in the course of Myanmar history. The people have been consuming Myanma traditional medicines from the earliest times. Throughout successive periods, Myanmar traditional medicine
practitioners provided health care services to the people. They preserved medical science, therapies and potent medicine. The government is giving effective encouragement to measures for enabling Myanmar traditional medicine to be well-known at the international level by means of improving it through medical research and manufacturing
potent Myanmar traditional medicines. Myanmar Traditional Medicine Practitioners’ Conference is held every year and it is a forum where Myanmar traditional medicine practitioners hold discussions and pass resolutions in unity. Myanmar traditional medicines are effectively used in the fields of propagation, practical treatment, education and training,
research and development and disease control. We believe that traditional medicine practitioners will continue to make efforts for development of Myanma traditional medicine, a national prestige, based on their unity and strength.