Coord meeting on promoting healthier lifestyles in youths held at Health & Sports Ministry

A coordination meeting on separating students from cigarettes, alcohol and drugs and instilling them with life skills through a national movement was held at the Ministry of Health and Sports yesterday.

The Union Education Minister, Dr. Myo Thein Gyi, first delivered a speech. He said the State Counsellor has guided the ministries of education and health and sports to collaborate on making schools and universities completely free of drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol, instilling healthy lifestyle and habits in students, reducing injuries from traffic and vehicle accidents, to incorporate reproductive health education in the curriculum, and to do away with habits of playing too much electronic games.
The role of Teachers’ Union and Students’ Union are important in ensuring success, said Dr. Myo Thein Gyi. He added that the Ministry of Education includes general knowledge on health in its lifelong skills lessons.
Next, Union Health and Sports Minister Dr. Myint Htwe delivered a speech. He said the 9.7 million school-age youths in Myanmar are the future of the country. He said it is important to impart them with general knowledge on health, teach them how to live healthily, and instil a habit for physical activities and sports. Doing so will make not only them healthier, but will create a positive ripple effect on people in their immediate surroundings, said Dr. Myint Htwe. He said the role of school health divisions is crucial for the tasks guided by the State Counsellor to succeed. He said they will monitor and evaluate school health groups at the township, state and regional levels and fill in where support is necessary. He said the sub department for health education is important as well.
Dr. Myint Htwe said doing sports and physical activities will reduce and eradicate smoking and consumption of alcohol and drugs, which is why they are increasing tasks related to them. He said carrying out these numerous tasks require cooperation from the Ministry of Home Affairs, General Administration Department, city development committees, and other relevant organizations as well.
The MoE leads implementation on the set tasks and the MoHS provides additional support as needed, said Dr. Myint Htwe. He added that monitoring and evaluation on these tasks will be carried out simultaneously.
After the speeches, officials from both ministries in attendance begin discussions on related topics. Afterwards, Dr. Myint Htwe concluded the meeting with a closing speech.
MNA
Translated by Zaw Htet Oo
Photo: MNA
Ref: The Global New Light of Myanmar