Blood donors

THE Shwedagon Pagoda Trusteeship Committee is organising a blood donation ceremony at the pagoda on August 28, said an official from the committee.
“So far, about 100 people from our trusteeship committee and staff, religious organisations and the public have given their names to donate blood,” U Win Kyaing, the chief of staff of the committee, said last Monday. “We hope to get about 300 people by the day of the blood donation.”
He said the committee chose August 28 because it is the full moon day of the lunar month of Wagaung.
“This is a very special day for Buddhists because it is commemorated as mitta akhadaw nay (day of kindness),” he said.
U Win Kyaing said the opening ceremony for the blood donation will be held at 8am at the Chanthargyi Tazaung rest house on the north western part of the pagoda platform, while the donation itself will take place at the Htidaw Yone Tazaung rest house. – Than Htike Oo

Japanese grant

THE Japanese government has donated medical equipment valued at US$76,940 to 17 blood centres throughout Myanmar under its grassroots grant aid program.
The donation was aimed at upgrading blood-related immunology services at blood centres throughout the country.
Mr Marsashi Ogawa, the counsellor at the Japanese embassy in Yangon, presented the donation documents to the director general of the Department of Health, Dr Tin Win Maung, at a ceremony at Traders Hotel on August 9.
The equipment is slated for blood centres at four general hospitals in Yangon, as well as at general hospitals in Mandalay, Pathein, Myitkyina, Mawlamyine, Kalay, Magwe, Loikaw, Bago, Taungoo, Dawei, Lashio, Taunggyi and Kengtung. – Phyu Lin Wai

Accident fines

THE Yangon Division Supervisory Committee Ensuring Smooth and Secure Transport has increased the fine for involvement in traffic accidents from K10,000 to K30,000.
An official from the committee said the reason for the increase was to reduce the number of traffic accidents in the city.
“We want drivers to change their behaviour and have more self-control so they do not cause traffic accidents,” he said.
The decision to increase the fines was made at a meeting of the committee held late last month. At the same meeting, officials also decided that anyone who caused serious accidents resulting in death or heavy losses would have their licence revoked for life.
Previously, such cases resulted in a six month or one-year licence suspension. – Yee Yee