Free health services, medicinal plants discussed at Amyotha Hluttaw

 June 27, 2017

Free or low-cost health services, the upgrading of a sports ground in Hopan, and the export of medicinal herbal plants were among the issues discussed at yesterday’s Amyotha Hluttaw meeting in Nay Pyi Taw.

Dr. Zaw Lin Htut of Mon State constituency 9 asked about services provided free of charge by the Ministry of Health and Sports, the annual budget allocated for medications provided to state, region, district and township hospitals and how it is distributed.

Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe replied that a cost sharing system was introduced to reduce the people’s health care cost before the National Health Insurance System is implemented. In financial years when additional funds are allocated, some cancer medications, for instance, were provided free of charge.

Anti-venom are bought from the Ministry of Industry and provided free together with vaccines for the Department of Public Health’s extended preventive vaccination campaign. Depending upon the funds and laboratory available in hospitals, patients were provided with free basic lab tests and cost sharing for high level lab-tests. The National Health Plan (2017-2021) was drawn up to provide essential health care at low cost to all by FY 2020-2021.

This plan will be implemented in stages, the Union Minister said.

In response to a question by U Sai San Aung of Shan State constituency 12 on upgrading a sports ground in Hopan town, Hopan District, Wa Self-administered division, Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe said the sports ground in Hopan was constructed in FY 2014-2015 with state government funds of Ks21.574 million. A wall for the sports ground was built in FY 2015-2016 with state government funds of Ks16.89 million. Further upgrades were made in FY 2016-2017 with state government additional funds of Ks54 million. Priority is given to upgrade the sports ground into an indoor stadium in FY 2018-2019, said the Union Minister.

Replying to a question by Dr. Kyaw Than Tun (Canton) of Mandalay Region constituency 3 on plans to plant and export medicinal herbal plants, Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe said export licenses were permitted for a variety of medicinal herbal plants such as ginger and turmeric, of which 22,611.354 tons valued at US$12.66 million in FY 2014-2015, 14,918.881 tons valued at US$9 million in FY 2015-2016 and 21,159 tons valued at US$11.895 million in FY 2016-2017 were exported.

Next, eight hluttaw representatives supported a motion put forward by Dr. San Maung Maung of Bago Region constituency 1 urging the Union Government to deal with the weakness in authorities taking action in accordance to laws on control of cigars and tobacco, and Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe provided explanations.

Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than announced the approval of the motion after a vote by the Hluttaw resulted in a majority supporting it. The 2nd Amyotha Hluttaw 5th regular session 22nd day meeting is scheduled for 29 June.

Thura Zaw, Hmwe Kyu Zin (MNA)

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar