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UEC discusses voting of persons with disabilities

Submitted by admin on 3 October 2020

Union Election Commission held a virtual meeting with the civil society organizations focusing the issues of persons with disabilities yesterday morning.

Chairman of UEC U Hla Thein, and commission members, representatives from the 29 CSOs for PWDs, the responsible persons from International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) took part in the meeting which discussed the cooperation between the UEC and the CSOs to ensure the participation of the PWDs in the 2020 General Election.

The UEC Chairman said that the Article 369 (a) of the Constitution and the Article 29 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities provide for equal political and electoral rights of persons with disabilities.

He also added that every person with disability has the right to vote in the elections and has the right to be elected in the election according to the Section 29 and Section 30 of the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, enacted by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw in 2015.

The UEC’s Strategic Plan (2014-2018) and (2019-2022) also included a section on promoting inclusiveness, focusing on the right of all persons with disabilities to vote.

In the 2017 and 2018 by-elections, the commission arranged 9 model polling stations in 5 townships of the Yangon Region, Sagaing Region and Chin State to facilitate the voting of the people with disabilities.

The commission also helped the visually impaired persons with Braille Template to vote in the election. There are a total number of 87,280 disabled voters in 2020 General Election.

He continued that the commission provided the demonstration lessons and follow-up trainings on disability voting during the electoral capacity building trainings held in Grand Amara Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw in November 2019.

As the 2020 General Election will be organized druing the COVID-19 crisis, the commission is working to ensure safe and secure voting in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Sports.—MNA (Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung)

Photo: MNA

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Vice President U Myint Swe attends climate change meeting online

Submitted by admin on 3 October 2020

Vice President U Myint Swe delivered a speech at the 10th meeting of the National-Level Environmental Conservation and Climate Change Central Committee, which was held online from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

During the meeting, the Vice President said that the past nine sessions of the committee in the last four years could make a total of 121 decisions. Out of them, implementation of 72 decisions was already completed, and the remaining 49 are underway.

He said that it is crucial to complete the projects during the designated time as the earlier the projects finish, the more they benefit.

Extremely unsystematic expansion of towns and cities, industrial zones and farming around the world including Myanmar has been causing the increase of carbon dioxide emissions, ecological damage, forest degradation, habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade and rapid climate change.

As all people know, the effects and people’s actions are destructing the nature’s harmony and survival of living things and are treating sustainable development of the countries, he said.

He stressed the importance of taking major priority over effective environmental conservation, sustaining the ecological and environmental system, and avoiding ecological degradations caused by the implementation of development works in the country.

Environmental conservation is a long-term process, and the national-level committee is proudly carrying out the works in cooperation with Region/State committees.

For sustainable development of local and foreign investment businesses, it is imperative to effectively implement the works on environmental conservation and climate change in accordance with State policies, relevant strategic processes, environmental conservation laws, by-laws, rules and regulations and international norms, he added.

As a remarkable success, the committee could release Myanmar national environmental policy, “Strategy” and “Main Work Plan” on climate change, and national-level waste management strategy and main work programme.

He further said that improvement of investment projects and small and medium-sized businesses working with the framework set in line with environmental policy, strategy and main work plans.

Work on environmental conservation and reducing impacts from of climate change is a very wide process, he added calling for cooperation on drawing up and implementing of the plans on new sectors such as sustainability of natural resources, control of air pollution caused by factories, workplaces and urban development.

He added that a high wellbeing society would be made by conserving the environment, reducing climate change and maintaining the ecosystem.

It is essential to continuously and widely conduct awareness programmes about the policies and frameworks for private businesspersons and the public, and to check and take actions against permitted and licenced projects that failed to abide by issued directives, he said.

He urged the attendees to increase cooperation with international organizations in getting technical and financial assistance for implementation of international agreements signed by Myanmar.

Union Minister U Ohn Win said the matters relating to drawing up of long-term plans and strategic frameworks after finding out new environmental fields and effective implementation of environmental and ecosystem conservation, reduction of climate change and waste management.

Secretary of the National-Level Committee and Director-General of Environmental Conservation Department U Hla Maung Thein reported on the conditions of the resolutions made in the ninth meeting, working committees’ tasks, ongoing works and environmental conservation plans.

Members of the National-level Committee — Deputy Minister Dr Ye Myint Swe, Deputy Attorney-General U Win Myint and Nay Pyi Taw Council Member U Tin Tun — also discussed matters relating to the issuance of environmental assessment instructions on mining, hydroelectricity and petrol and gas sector and environmental conservation laws, by-laws and directives.

Chairpersons of the Region/State Supervision Committees detailed about the implementation of the decisions made in last meeting and ongoing works.

The attendees including Permanent Secretaries, directors-general and representatives of CSOs discussed the implementation of environmental conservation and reduction of climate change, ongoing plans, difficulties, cooperation with international organizations, awareness programmes, fundraising, chemical and waste management and sustainable development.

Secretary of the National-level Committee and Director-General of Environmental Conservation U Hla Maung Thein confirmed 16 decisions agreed and made by attendees during the 10th meeting.

The meeting was concluded after the Vice President, the Patron of the National-Level Environmental Conservation and Climate Change Central Committee, made remarks.

The following dignitaries and senior officials attended the virtual meeting: committee’s Chairman and the Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, U Ohn Win, Deputy Minister Dr Ye Myint Swe and Deputy Attorney-General U Win Myint and central committee members, the Chairperson of Nay Pyi Taw Council Environmental Conservation and Climate Change Supervising Committee, the permanent secretaries and the directors-general,

the ministers of state/region governments who are the chairmen of Environmental Conservation and Climate Change Supervising Committees and secretaries, the members of six working committees, representatives of CSOs and NGOs, representatives of private businesses, departmental heads and officials.

 MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

Photo: MNA

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173 Myanmar nationals fly back home from Malaysia

Submitted by admin on 1 October 2020

A total of 173 Myanmar citizens landed in Yangon yesterday by a relief flight of Myanmar Airways International.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Yangon Region government arranged 14-day quarantine at specific places or designated hotels, followed by the 7-day home quarantine.

The Myanmar embassy in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is collaborating with relevant organizations to bring the citizens back home after scrutinizing national verifications of undocumented nationals and those who were held at the detention centres.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has organized 17 relief flights from Malaysia until now.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

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Work plan for civics, decent citizens discussed under youth policy strategic plan

Submitted by admin on 1 October 2020

The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement organized a videoconferencing yesterday to adopt a work plan for promoting ‘civics and decent citizens’ which is a priority of the National Strategic Plan for Youth Policy (2020-2024).

Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye in his capacity as the Chairman of Myanmar Youth Affairs Committee, Deputy Minister U Soe Aung, the Permanent Secretary, the directors-general, officials from Social Welfare Department and representatives from UNFPA Myanmar joined the online discussion.

The Union Minister said that Myanmar has developed the National Strategic Plan for Youth Policy on 20 August, and the plan includes prioritizing the sector for civics and decent citizens to promote human rights values, democratic norms and federalism among the young people; to implement training programmes for nurturing decent citizens, to encourage volunteer sprit; to provide the youth with some incentives such as certain amount of salary and capacity building courses; to develop the mindset of responsibility and accountability; to carry out anti-corruption works.

He also encouraged development of volunteering sprit among the young persons including civil service personnel, and advised to perform the duties of ministries in measures against COVID-19 in coordination with the relevant ministries, civil society organizations, UN agencies and INGOs.

The Director-General of Social Welfare Department presented work plans for civics and decent citizens, the work plans with the ministries and the estimate budgets.

The Deputy Minister gave advice on drawing the plan; followed by the discussions of senior officers, UNFPA Myanmar’s youth committee members to coordinate with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and Sports and other relevant ministries, the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, the Union Civil Service Board, the Anti-Corruption Commission and UN agencies.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

Photo:MNA

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MoHS, UNOPS discuss signing agreement for TB, HIV/syphilis, malaria cares in Myanmar

Submitted by admin on 1 October 2020

The Ministry of Health and Sports and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) yesterday afternoon organized a virtual meeting on matters related to signing an agreement (2021-2023) for TB, HIV/syphilis, and malaria cares in Myanmar and matters related to purchasing medicines and medical accessories for COVID-19 response efforts of the ministry, via videoconferencing.

The agreement for TB, HIV/syphilis, and malaria cares will be funded through the Global Fund.

During the virtual meeting, Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe expressed thanks to UNOPS for helping the ministry in purchasing medicines and medical supplies for COVID-19 response efforts by using the fund provided by UN and other international organizations. He said that the ministry is efficiently using the fund, medicines and medical accessories. He continued that hospitals in Yangon Region now have ‘medical supplies management dashboard’ in order to fulfil the needs in the hospitals.

He urged medical supplies purchasing and distribution experts of UNOPS and the experts of the Ministry of Health and Sports to jointly review the ministry’s current medical supplies purchasing and distribution system in order to improve it.

He highlighted the need to avoid lack of supportive care and lack of medicines for patients with TB, HIV/syphilis, and malaria, and other patients amidst COVID-19 pandemic. Otherwise, death rates of the three diseases may be higher, so the ministry has done necessary preparations, according to the Union Minister.

He said that the help of UNOPS in purchasing 87 medicines and medical accessories for COVID-19 response efforts is very useful. He requested the UNOPS officials to help the ministry quickly get 95 ICU Ventilators.

UNOPS Yangon Office Programme Director Dr Attila Molnar said that USD$7.1 million, previously approved by the Global Fund, was allowed to be spent for COVID-19 response efforts of the ministry, and the Global Fund approved $18 million as C19RM support. He also discussed UNOPS’s preparation for Global Fund’s support (2021-2023) and the plan to sign the Global Fund’s Agreement in December this year.

He said that he feels glad to cooperate with the ministry in prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19. He called on Myanmar officials to allow the transport of medical supplies from one area to another across the nation despite COVID-19 related travel restrictions.

He said that using Antigen Test Kits in COVID-19 control efforts in Myanmar is appropriate, and if Myanmar wants to buy more Antigen Test Kits by spending the remaining fund, UNOPS will help Myanmar buy them. He also stressed that Myanmar has made impressive progress in the fight against TB, HIV/syphilis, and malaria.

Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe said that COVID-19 response efforts need to be taken in real-time, so the ministry and UNOPS need to hold virtual meetings via video conferencing at least once a month. He pledged that his ministry will cooperate with other relevant ministries to facilitate efficient transport of medical supplies from one area to another in Myanmar. He said that the ministry had already increased the budget for the Department of Medical Services to buy medicines and accessories to K300 billion this year. Similarly, the ministry increased the budget for the Department of Public Health to buy medicines and medical accessories. He concluded that the Deputy Director-General (Disease Control) and other relevant officials will make detailed discussions and negotiations to prepare for signing the Global Fund Agreement in December this year.

MNA

(Translated by Maung Maung Swe)

Photo:MNA

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MoC organizes seminar to promote quality, export of rubber

Submitted by admin on 1 October 2020

The Ministry of Commerce held a seminar to improve the quality and export volume of rubber via Zoom application yesterday morning.

Union Minister Dr Than Myint said that the relevant departments, organizations, farmers, merchants, factory owners and those participating in supply chain processes must cooperate to find a solution to manufacture better quality rubber products.

The rubber industry is one of the prioritized sectors while the government is implementing a total of 18 sectors -11 prioritized products, 2 services and 5 supportive sectors under National Export Strategy (NES) which includes actions to boost Myanmar’s export sector and market penetration. Only the rubber products that meet the Myanmar’s rubber criteria and international quality standards can be exported to foreign countries. It can overcome the difficulties and obstacles in exporting only with the active participation of those in supply chain processes and it can promote the export sector of the country, he said.

Deputy Minister U Aung Htoo briefed rubber export volume in each financial year, overseas market status and the ministry’s work programmes for the development of rubber industry.

The experts from relevant sector read papers at the seminar with the discussions of rubber farmers, factory owners and merchants.

In conclusion, the Union Minister coordinated short- and long-tem plans for rubber industry.

MNA

(Translated by Khaine Thazin Han)

Photo:MNA

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MoHS holds meeting with Yangon medical officials on COVID-19 control measures

Submitted by admin on 27 September 2020

UNION Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe held a virtual coordination meeting with superintendents, professors and officials in Yangon Region on treatments of COVID-19 patients and quarantine measures yesterday.

During the meeting, the Union Minister said that the purpose of the meeting is to know the resources required for COVID-19 treatment centres, hospitals and quarantine facilities and to share experiences.

The Union Minister urged the attendees to report about the matters needed to be fulfilled by the ministry, and to imitate the good works of other departments and hospitals and also said that the ministry is working with various plans to respond to the COVID-19 in real-time.

Medical specialists are making efforts to reduce COVID-19 death rate, and the role of medical superintendents is also very important, he added.

He further said that the rate of mortality will decline if the works on fulfilling and distributing COVID-19 medicines and medical supplies at hospitals, delegation, management and treatment of hospital staff and connections among relevant officials are improved.

He also urged the medical superintendents and medical specialists to openly discuss experiencing challenges and difficulties in making efforts for reducing death rate.

The rate of infection and death toll of COVID-19 are increasing even in developed countries.

He appreciated the healthcare workers, relevant departments and organizations and volunteers for making efforts by effectively using resources.

He also urged the medical officials to immediately decide and implement the difficult tasks on policies and strategies for hospitals in cooperation with Yangon Region Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19.

Medicines and medical supplies that are required at the hospitals in Yangon Region are fulfilled by reviewing the medical supplies management dashboard, therefore, medical superintendents need to update the medical supplies data of their hospitals at the dashboard.

He added that the ministry has discussed establishment of a better hospital logistics system with Myanmar Medical Association and hospital administration group.

Deputy Minister Dr Mya Lay Sein reported on distribution and storage of medicines and medical supplies, and the ordering of 200,000 sets of rapid antigen test kits for COVID-19.

Permanent Secretary Dr Thet Khaing Win detailed about referral pathway and treatment measures.

Director-General of Union Minister Office Dr Tha Tun Kyaw presented arrangements for accommodation of suspected COVID-19 patients in Yangon Region and regular virtual meetings of healthcare workers and medical professionals.

Director-General of Public Health and Medical Service Department Dr Soe Oo reported on fulfillment of requirement, human resources management, assigning of new nurses at the hospitals in Yangon, and coordinating efforts between central and region level officials and onground team members.

Rector of the University of Medicine (1) Professor Doctor Zaw Wai Soe presented the challenges and the matters of urgent need in quarantine centres, hospitals, COVID-19 treatment centres; and to use the wards in Yangon University of Nursing for the medical staff as they would risk to go back home after providing medical care to the COVID-19 patients.

The officials from relevant medical departments discussed the preparation of the wards in Yangon General Hospital to accommodate the COVID-19 patients, the lab testing conditions and the preparation of the guidance to use global health certification test kits, to designate a hospital for medical staff who are infected the COVID-19 disease, the discussion with Myanmar Medical Association to assign private general practitioners who want to involve in the treatment of COVID-19, the condition of providing medical care to those who are not COVID-19 patients and long term plans, the assignments to the management teams in quarantine centres, the conditions of the patient transfer from the quarantine centres , the condition of medical treatment and the sending lab tests from the Yangon General Hospital, the conditions in the North Okkalapa General Hospital and the assignment to the special nurses at the needed hospitals since the surgery cases are suspended.

The officials also gave suggestions at the meeting to set up the oxygen pipe line at the hospitals including the Yangon General Hospital which will be needed in the long run, to install beds at the extended special medical treatment centres and to assign the special nurses.

The hospital superintendents for Waibargi hospital, South Okkalapa hospital and COVID-19 treatment centre (Phaunggyi) presented the need to install portable X-ray system, portable ultrasound system and liquid oxygen.

The Union Minister decided to install portable X-ray system, portable ultrasound system and liquide oxygen pipe line immediately and urged all the officials from respective medical departments and hospital superintendents to continue the coordination meeting regularly; to present the necessary things from the meeting to the Ministry immediately and said that the Ministry also will fulfill the needs as fast as possible.

The Union Minister continued that the officials discuss to manage the suspected patients in the early morning every day through video conferencing; the Yangon COVID-19 committee discusses at 5 pm every day; at 10 pm every day, the officials discuss the management of the hospitals for COVID-19 patients and the central field team (3) is also trying to contain the spread of the virus.

The Union Minister concluded that it was very important to make decision in a timely manner in containing the COVID-19 disease; the fatal disease could be controlled soon by coordinating between the COVID-19 teams and deciding in a timely manner and to present only the policy issues and subsequent occurrences to the Central level.

MNA

PHOTO: MNA

(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun, Ei Phyu Phyu Aung)

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UEC Chair joins virtual meeting with news media

Submitted by admin on 20 September 2020

THE Union Election Commission and Myanmar Press Council jointly organized an online ‘2020 General Election & News Media Role’ meeting yesterday morning, and UEC Chair U Hla Thein was present on the occasion. Myanmar Press Council Chairperson U Ohn Kyaing (Hantharwady - U Ohn Kyaing), the UEC members, the officials with the UEC office and the Myanmar Press Council, the officials with UNESCO, and 19 media personnel with 19 news media group among others attended the meeting.

The UEC Chair and Myanmar Press Council Chair delivered their opening remarks, respectively. Next, Union Election Commission Member U Myint Naing and the officials with Myanmar Press Council briefed on the matters pertaining to the 2020 General Election and the role of news media during the general elections.

Then, a question and answer session was held and UEC Member U Myint Naing answered the questions raised by the attending media personnel. This online meeting will reportedly be held until today (20 September 2020).

MNA

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MoSWRR provides CERP cash assistance to PWDs, shelters in 9 regions/states

Submitted by admin on 12 September 2020

THE Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement held a virtual meeting to provide cash assistance to the persons with disability and the shelters in 9 regions/states yesterday morning.

Deputy Minister U Soe Aung made a discussion at the meeting.

Cash assistance is being given under the COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan to the PWDs, internally displaced persons, the elderly persons of the age between 80 and 85, the pregnant woman who are not included in the Maternal and Child Cash Transfer.

Under the CERP, a total of 1,809.870 million kyats for the 60,329 PWDs, and 270.840 million kyats for 228 shelters.

Each of senior citizens and pregnant woman outside the MCCT plan have received 30,000 kyat.

The Deputy Minister also said that the civil service personnel need to work in providing cash assistance as it is aimed to support financial flow of the country.

Ministers from the region/ state governments, staff officers of region/state Social Welfare Department, members of PWD rights committee and responsible persons of the shelters.

The ministry has presented 17.505 million kyats to 21 shelters in Sagaing region and 17.250 million kyats to the 12 shelters in Taninthayi region on 10 September.

MNA

PHOTO : MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

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17th National Tripartite Dialogue Forum held via videoconferencing

Submitted by admin on 12 September 2020

THE Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), organized the 17th National Tripartite Dialogue Forum (NTDF) through video conferencing which was taken part by the representatives of government, employers and employees yesterday afternoon.

Union Minister U Thein Swe and Deputy Minister U Myint Kyaing, ILO Liaison officer Mr Donglin Li and representatives from ILO Yangon office, representatives of employees and employers participated in the forum.

The forum aimed to work together to find ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 disease in factories and to ensure the safety of workers.

The Union Minister said that although the discussions were focused on a labour-intensive region of Yangon, it would apply to factories, workplaces and industrial zones across the country and it would be implemented based on the findings of the discussion.

The Union Minister continued that 16th NTDF held on 23 June implemented the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan (CERP) to overcome the COVID-19 crisis and the tripartite representatives agreed to cooperate in the New Normal practice that would result from COVID-19.

The ministry is implementing the four pillars of social work for the resolution—to revive the economic and employment sector based on the international labour standards in regard with the ILO’s COVID-19 crisis response, to provide support to the businesses and employments for their incomes and to protect workers in the workplace.

The Ministry of Health and Sports released a letter on 12 August to prohibit gathering of more than 30 people; the Yangon Region government, with the close supervision of its Ministry of Immigration and the Human Resources, led control measures of COVID-19 in collaboration with officials from General Administration Department, Factory and General Labour Laws Inspection Department and the Health Department as the spread of this disease occurred in Rakhine State in mid-August.

The Union Minster said that he met with the business people of garment sector at UMFCCI office on 29 August and discussed to cooperate in conducting the disease control measures as the infection rate is high again. He called on all to work together for the development of the garment industry while the government eased some restrictions to create better environment for domestic and foreign investors to make investment.

He also met the representatives of Trade Unions at Hlinethaya Industrial Zone on 30 August and said the Ministry makes concerted efforts for maintaining job opportunities at factories, industries, shops and other workplaces, occupational safety, development of workers’ skills, pleasant workplaces and to improve the foreign investment and discussed to find solutions for the economic impacts of COVID-19 at the factories and industries and to follow the health guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Sports without fail.

The meeting also discussed the measures to be taken to reduce the risks to workers and employers due to the spread of COVID-19 in factories and industries, law amendment of labour affairs for future, labour rights and matters related to the employers including cooperation works with international organizations.

The ministry will keep monitoring on undergoing quarantine and medical treatment of employees and also study the orders of employers, investment and the future prospects regarding the changes in the neighbouring and the world countries.

It emphasizes to the attitudes and problems of employers and employees and urges them to work together to overcome this situation as quickly as possible with their self-discipline.

Then, ILO Liaison Officer Mr Donglin Li, the representatives of the employers and employees respectively delivered greeting speech and discussed COVID-19 control measures among the employees and future functions for employers, employees and the government.

MNA

PHOTO : MNA

(Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung and Khine Thazin Han)

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