THE Third Amyotha Hluttaw continued its 13th-day meeting of the third regular session at its building in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning. A Defence Services Personnel Representative took an affirmation and signed the form of affirmation in the presence of Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker U Aung Lin Dwe. At the question-and-answer session, MP Dr Khaing Khaing Hsu from the Rakhine State Constituency 10 raised a question on the plans of the State to address health, social and economic hardships of temporarily displaced women across the nation.
Deputy Minister for Women’s Affairs Dr Nay Thwe Kyi responded that the Ministry of Health has been providing temporarily displaced women with access to quality maternal and reproductive healthcare services, without discrimination and on an equal basis with other women, in accordance with the provisions incorporated into the National Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy in 2022.
She added that the Ministry of Women’s Affairs has established OneStop Women Support Centres (OSWSCs) in Yangon, Mandalay, Mawlamyine, Loikaw, Lashio, Monywa and Sittway. These centres provide services to women and young women who have experienced various forms of violence and require temporary protection when their families or surrounding communities are unable to ensure their safety.
The services include providing physical and psychological protection, healthcare, legal assistance and psychological support, in addition to financial assistance. With regard to the question submitted by MP U Myo Myint from the Taninthayi Region Constituency 5 on supply of energy and electricity for the people from areas without access to the national grid, Deputy Minister for Electricity and Energy U Kyaw Naing Win said that there are 41 fuel retail outlets in Taninthayi Region.
To ensure that residents in areas outside the national power grid in Dawei and Myeik districts can access electricity at affordable rates and enjoy an uninterrupted power supply, the ministry has been selling petrol and diesel produced by the Petrochemical Complex (Thanbayakan), which operates under its supervision, to the Taninthayi Region Government at the interdepartmental sale price every month since September 2021. If Kawthoung and Bokpyin require domestically produced diesel for electricity generation and distribution, they should submit an application to purchase and use the fuel from the ministry through the regional government. MP U Soe Kyi from the Taninthayi Region Constituency 11 raised questions on fulfilment of security infrastructure and support for the drug addicted rehabilitation camp (Myeik).
Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Thant Zaw Lwin replied that in coordination with the Regional Government, a survey will be conducted to determine the number of young people who genuinely require drug rehabilitation. To open a drug rehabilitation centre, security grilles will first be installed in the existing building. In addition, detailed cost estimates will be prepared for replacing the existing wire-mesh fence surrounding the building with a brick wall, and plans will be made to include the construction work in the budgets of the coming financial years, subject to the availability of funds.
Deputy Minister for Health Dr Tin Tun responded to questions raised by Hluttaw representatives, saying that the construction of one clinic building and one two-unit staff housing building at the Begayet Rural Health Branch in Ward 7, Kangyidaunt Township, is planned for implementation in the 2027-2028 financial year. Regarding the establishment of Myinkun Station Hospital in Myinkun Village-tract, Magway Township, the matter will be further submitted to the Union Government in accordance with the prescribed procedures.
He continued that the YeU Rural Health Branch in Mathe Village-tract, Yaksawk Township, will be upgraded to a rural health centre. In addition, new rural health branches will be opened in Bamat and Monpyin villages under the upgraded rural health centre. MP Daw Khin Swe from the Magway Region Constituency 12 tabled a motion urging the government to take measures to gradually reduce and restrict the production, import, sale and use of plastic products, particularly plastic bags, in order to protect public health and the environment.
MP Daw Kyin Thein from the Ayeyawady Region Constituency 9 seconded the motion. The Speaker announced that MPs wishing to discuss the motion could register with the Director-General of the Amyotha Hluttaw Office. The Amyotha Hluttaw will continue its 14th day meeting on 6 November.
MNA/TTA
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