THE Myanmar Medical Association is planning to offer courses later this year to provide life skills training and health education to young people at Taungoo in Bago Division and Pathein in Ayeyarwady Division.

The main aim of the “Happy and Healthy Adolescent Life” course is to provide knowledge on four topics: reproductive health and healthy lifestyles, life values, communication with parents and peers, and decision making.

Dr Ne Win, the secretary of the General Practitioners’ Society under the association, said 40 young people between the ages of 15 and 24 will be accepted for each course, which will be provided on weekend for three weeks.
He said the association is also planning to offer more courses in Yangon and Mandalay, raising the number from four times a year as provided since 2003 to six times a year.

“The association also hopes to hold HIV/AIDS education fairs in Mandalay and Bago early next year to teach young people about how to prevent the disease,” he said.

The first HIV/AIDS education fair, held at the association’s headquarters in Yangon in February, used unorthodox teaching methods such as quizzes, slideshows, a book corner, games and confidential discussions with doctors to teach young people about the disease.

The association will conduct both activities in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund, Dr Ne Win said.