Information Sheet NO.A.0847(I)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

               MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
                                    Yangon

                            Information Sheet
                   NO.A.0847(I)    24 March 1999

(1)		Mandalay Division GEC Opens Sugar Mill 

		Mandalay Division Government Employees Cooperative Syndicate Ltd opened a
sugar mill in Industrial Zone 2, Mandalay on 22 March. Designed and built by
Seinban Industrial Producers Cooperative Syndicate on a 2.5 acre plot. Test
run of the mill was completed on 15 March. At its full capacity operation, the
mill will produce 10 tons of refined sugar per day.

(2)		Project for Improvement of Maternal and Child Health Care Services
Launched 

		A launching  ceremony for the project "Improvement of Maternal and Child
Health Care Services in the Union of Myanmar" was held at Hotel Nikko Royal
Lake on 23 March. Japanese Ambassador to Myanmar, Diet member of Japan Ms.
Akiko Yamanaka and Resident Representative of UNICEF made speeches. Then,
Japanese Ambassador and Resident Representative of UNICEF signed and exchanged
notes.

		Myanmar has adopted 'Health for All' as a social goal and the Primary Health
Care as the key approach to achieve this goal since the declaration of Alma
Ata in 1978. The Ministry of Health is trying to improve the health of the
entire population with close cooperation and collaboration with related
ministries and departments, UN agencies, national and international NGOs. 

		With the inception of PHC, there has been significant reduction of infant
and maternal morbidity and mortality and also a significant reduction in the
incidence of vaccine preventable diseases due to expanded programme of
immunization. The main causes of morbidity and mortality among ;children under
five years are respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, malaria, measles,
malnutrition and in mothers induced abortion, toxaemia of pregnancy and ante-
partum haemorrhage. 

		Reduction of infant mortality rate, under 5 mortality rate and maternal
mortality rate can be significantly achieved by provision of maternal and
child health care services universally accessible to the community with
particular emphasis to the rural areas,  peri-urban areas and to the poor
section of the community. Japan's Grant Aid support will further strengthen
the ongoing project activities implemented by the Ministry of Health with
UNICEF's assistance.


		The overall aim is the reduction of maternal and child mortality and
morbidity by:	Reduction of child deaths through the implementation of
Intergrated Management of Maternal and Childhood Illness (IMMC) strategy--
which  includes IMCI (Integrated Management of Childhood Illness) strategy in
which there is the inclusion of maternal health care component in addition to
improvement of child health. The maternal health care component is mainly safe
motherhood programme  which includes  antenatal care, safe delivery, postnatal
care and family planning. There are also plans to include water and sanitation
activities and measures 	to  prevent water borne diseases in 	children. This
strategy is known as (IMMCI) which aims to reduce the maternal and childhood
morbidity and mortality.

		-	Elimination of Neonatal death due to tetanus.
		-	Reduction of neonatal and peri-natal deaths due to unsafe and/or
complicated deliveries.
		-	Reduction of infant deaths due to vaccine preventable disease.

		These strategies will result in the improvement of the health of mothers and
children  in the overall context of social and economic development of
Myanmar. The Government of Japan and the Ministry of Health has collaborated
in many areas. Recently the Government of Japan has provided grant assistance
for provision of medical equipment for four hospitals and the Institute of
Nursing in Mandalay. Strong partnerships coupled with collaboration,
coordination and concerted efforts between the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and
the Government of Japan will further contribute to the significant reduction
of maternal and infant mortality in Myanmar. 

(3)		Diet Members of Japan Meet EC Members of MMCWA

		Four Diet members led by Mr. Shomei Yokouchi of Japan Parliamentarians
Federation met members of the Executive Committee of Myanmar Maternal and
Child Welfare Association at the multipurpose building of MMCWA in Yangon on
23 March. Director of South-East Asia Region of International Planned
Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Mr. Mahdi Nawi elaborated on working programmes
of IPPF. Then, the Japanese Diet members observed the child all round
development centre and the domestic science training school opened by MMCWA.

(4)		Monitoring Committee and Working Groups of CCDAC Meet

		Member of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Chairman of Monitoring
Committee for Working Groups of CCDAC Deputy Minister for Home Affairs
attended a work coordination meeting between the chairman of monitoring
committee and chairmen and secretaries of working groups at the office of the
Director-General of Myanmar Police Force on 23 March. Secretary of CCDAC
Director-General of MPF reported on arrangements to upgrade Wethtikan and
Shwepyiaye Camps for drug-addicts. Then, a general round of discussions
followed.

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