TB patients traced

THE National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) is stepping up its efforts to trace TB patients in three townships in Ayeyarwady Division whose treatment might have been interrupted in the wake of cyclone Nargis, said Dr Moe Zaw, the assistant director of the program.
He said the first phase of the effort was spearheaded by a team of 15 healthcare specialists who visited Labutta, Bogale and Ngaputaw townships from June 11 to 18 to track the patients.
“They were able to trace 80 percent of the patients whose treatment had been interrupted and they also found 13 new cases of TB in the three townships,” Dr Moe Zaw said.
“There is a danger of more people getting infected with TB and a danger of drug-resistant strains of the disease developing in those areas, so we plan to continue our efforts to trace old TB patients and identify new ones,” he said.
He said NTP will provide training to health staff in the three townships in July so they can help in tracking TB patients who have not yet been found.
Dr Moe Zaw said the program will also provide equipment to set up TB laboratories in the three townships and will hold monthly meetings so staff can exchange experiences about working with TB patients.
“We encourage nongovernmental organisations to get involved in our TB program so they can provide financial support to patients who have difficulties coming to township hospitals,” he said. – Khin Myat

Funds for shelters collected

A LOCAL non-profit organisation, the Online Donation Group, is cooperating with other local organisations on a project to build bamboo houses for survivors of cyclone Nargis in Ayeyarwady Division.
The group intends to build a series of 153-square-foot houses from bamboo with tarpaulin roofs that can provide shelter for up to 10 people. The project will focus on Kwaye Chaung village in Ngaputaw township.
“Right now the most basic need for the rehabilitation of cyclone survivors is shelter,” said Ko Aung Myo Thu, a spokesperson for the group.
“We know that homelessness causes a lot of problems. Having someplace to live will help survivors recover from the trauma of the storm,” he said. “Our goal is to help people stand on their own feet as quickly as possible.”
The project, called Homes and Basics for Nargis Victims, is being carried out by the Online Donation Group in cooperation with the Myanmar Marketing Association and Myitta Yeik, a local nongovernmental organisation based in Pathein.
“Some young members of the Myanmar Engineering Society have also helped by drawing house designs, and measuring and building houses,” Ko Aung Myo Thu said. – Shwe Yinn Mar Oo

MLF distributes buffalo

THE Myanmar Livestock Federation will help distribute water buffalo donated by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to four townships in storm-affected Ayeyarwady and Yangon divisions.
“FAO donated 600 buffalo to help farmers get their fields ploughed as quickly as possible. They will be distributed in four townships where they are needed,” said Dr Khin Hlaing, the joint secretary of the federation.
Kungyangon township in Yangon Division will get 100 buffalo, while in Ayeyarwady Division, Mawlamyinegyun township will receive 300 buffalo, and Pyapon and Ngapudaw townships will get 100 each, according to the federation.
The government has also supplied more than 1600 water buffalo to seven townships in both divisions.
Cyclone Nargis is estimated to have killed about 200,000 farm animals, 60 percent of which were used by farmers for ploughing fields. FAO has estimated that 5000 buffalo will be required to fulfil the needs of farmers in the delta.
– Sann Oo

Dentists donate

THE Myanmar Dental Association donated household goods valued at K9 million to more than 1000 families in two villages in Pyabon and Dedaye townships in Ayeyarwady division on June 11.
Dr Sein Mya Aye, the president of the association’s information subcommittee, said the association also donated medicines and medical equipment valued at K2 million to the general hospital in Pyabon township.
“We also gave financial support to five dentists who suffered from cyclone Nargis,” he said.
In addition, the association, in collaboration with the Ahmaya relief team, provided oral healthcare to more than 150 people in Dedaye township, he said. – Khin Myat