Thailand, Myanmar agree to boost cooperation on diseases control

BANGKOK, July 7 (TNA) - Thailand and neighbouring Myanmar have agreed to boost cooperation on the control of AIDs, Malaria, and tuberculosis and to promote migrant workers’ access to public health in their four twin provinces. The four twin provinces are Chiang Rai-Ta Kee Lek, Tak-Myawaddy, Kanchanaburi-Phaya Taung Su, and Ranong-Kawthaung. The agreement was reached on Friday during a discussion of Thai and Myanmar delegations held on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Health Ministers’ Meeting in Thailand's southern resort Phuket Province. Thai Public Health Minister Wittaya Boonsiri, and Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr. Paijit Warachit represented the Thai side while the Myanmar side is headed by Health Minister Dr. Pe Thet Khin, Director-General for Health Dr. Maung Maung Min Thien, and Deputy Director-General for Health Dr. Saw Lwin. Under the agreement, new measures, such as Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) and a mentoring system, will be implemented to help control tuberculosis while Malaria clinics will be set up to provide free treatment for patients, aimed at reducing Malaria mortality to a target set under the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Thailand will also cooperate with Myanmar in promoting access to public health for people and migrant workers along their border. Wittaya said that the agreement is part of Thailand's efforts, as agreed with other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to provide greater health care for ASEAN population by 2013, and that Thailand will give Myanmar needed support as well in order to meet its obligations under Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. (TNA)