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Dr Leonard Ortega, Acting WHO
Representative to Myanmar delivering the prize to the winner of essay
competition on the leprosy elimination at the 7th Leprosy Elimination Commemoration Day
in Nay Pyi Taw.
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On 6 February 2010, the Ministry of Health, Myanmar
organized the ceremony for the Seventh Leprosy Elimination Commemoration Day
at the main conference hall of Ministry of Health, Nay Pyi
Taw. The ceremony was to mark the seventh anniversary of the declaration for
achievement of leprosy elimination status in Myanmar that was announced on 6
February 2003. Elimination of leprosy as a public health problem indicated
that leprosy prevalence in the country became less than one per 10,000 population.
The commemorative ceremony was opened by the H.E. Deputy
Minister for Health, Prof Paing Soe who delivered an opening speech. In his
speech, His Excellency highlighted the progress and achievements of leprosy
control programme in Myanmar over the past years based
on the WHO Global Strategy for Further Reducing the Disease Burden due to
Leprosy (2006-2010). He also mentioned that despite the progress and success
of the programme there are still areas in the
country, known as pocket areas, where considerable number of new cases are
being detected. Moreover, he indicated the need for focusing hard-to-reach
areas and forging partnerships with various agencies including the national
NGOs for rehabilitation of persons affected with leprosy. In addition, he explained the theme for
this year “Promote self-care–prevent disability”. He also stated that the
National Leprosy Control Programme has been
preparing for future steps in line with the WHO “Enhanced Global Strategy for
Further Reducing the Disease Burden due to Leprosy, (Plan Period:
2011-2015)”.
Later, H.E Deputy Minister delivered the prizes to the
winners of essay competition on the leprosy elimination. Dr Leonard Ortega Ag
WHO Representative to Myanmar
and Representatives of IMCJ also delivered the prizes. After the ceremony,
the dignitaries and invited guests viewed the mini-exhibition displayed by
the Ministry of Health featuring various activities of leprosy control programme in Myanmar.
The official ceremony was followed by the series of talks
on leprosy programme in Myanmar by a number of
speakers including officials from the national leprosy control programme, central health education bureau, senior
leprosy consultant from central special skin clinic of Yangon General
Hospital, one of the famous writers and two persons affected with leprosy who
have been cured from disease, sharing their experiences.
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