NLD Statement 20 (English)

[nldburma@xxxxxxxxxxx]

National League for Democracy
NO (97/B), West Shwegondine Road
Bahan, Rangoon

Statement NO: 20(2/99)


1. Immunisation against polio is being carried out in the whole country 
and the vaccine for this has been supplied free of charge by the World 
Health Organisation.

2. We have been informed that in December 1998 and January 1999, at the 
medical centres in Kyaukpadaung Township, Mandalay Division the parents 
were charged a fee of Kyats 10/- per child at the medical centres where 
the vaccine was being administered orally.


3. Therefore the very poor parents could not have their children 
protected against this disease because of their inability to meet the 
demand . Our information is that the authorities in the villages are 
forcing payment.

4. In a certain ward, because of this demand for payment, only 300 could 
get the oral dose whereas 500 had been given a previous dose. 

5. This demand for payment of medication given free of charge by the WHO 
is wrong and should never be resorted to. It will surely have a 
deleterious effect on the health of these children in the future. We 
denounce this and urge the higher authorities to take immediate action 
to halt the above process.

6. What is happening in Kyaukpadaung is something that requires 
investigation and monitoring by an independent body (not the 
administration) to prevent the misuse of aid given by the international 
community.

Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy

Rangoon
10 February 1999



























































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