Meeting discusses extended healthcare for Naga people

A MEETING on extended healthcare undertakings as a special program for the Naga Self-Administered Zone was held in Monya yesterday morning.

The extended healthcare undertakings include vaccination, nutrition, maternal and child health, hygiene, school health and environment cleanness.

Speaking at the meeting, Union Minister for Health Dr Myint Htwe said the meeting would seek means to provide more effective healthcare services in Layshe, Lahe and Nanyun of Naga Self-Administered Zone in Sagaing Region, where transport was poor, in cooperation with the international NGOs and partner organizations.

The meeting would collectively seek out means that could be applied in the practical field, he said. “Villages in Layshe, Lahe and Nanyun of Naga Self-Administered Zone are difficult to access and speak many dialects,” he noted, adding, “Curable diseases are occurring there as people lacked healthcare knowledge.”

“Although there are many international level health promotion programs, they cannot bring success if they are not suitable for regional situation and practical field.

“Taking into consideration the basic needs including geography, transport, farming, trade, socioeconomic situation, development, health, knowledge level, belief, culture, customs, availability of heath care, ability of healthcare providers, human resources, and other factors, we will find the best program for the region,” he vowed.

“Broader public health awareness involving vaccination, nutrition, maternal, reproductive and child health and hygiene, will be our priority for the zone,” he noted. As the ministry alone could not implement the task, it would work together with regional officials in the sepcific sectors including transport and farming, he said.

“The participation and suggestions of local health officials, doctors, nurses, and other persons of the health field is important in adopting the work program,” the Union Minister pointed out. He called for the effective cooperation between the ministry and UN agencies, international NGOs, and partner organizations for the success of the program.

He also urged officials of the self-administered zone to make direct contacts and cooperate with the officials.

Chief Minister of Sagaing Region Dr Zaw Win welcomed the extended healthcare undertakings for the zone. Member of Naga Self-Administered Zone Governing Body and Sagaing Region MP U Karsi Yan extended greetings.

Officials of the UNICEF, WFP, Access to Health Fund, Myanmar Red Cross Society, Myanmar Health Assistant Association, WHO Country Office, PATH, CPI, and Medical Action Myanmar presented plans to support the ministry. The morning session was presided over by the Union Minister and the afternoon session by Permanent Secretary Dr Thar Tun Kyaw. During both sessions, participants presented suggestions for the success of the special program.

MNA

(Translated by TMT)

PHOTO: MNA

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar