ON the occasion of World Oral Health Day, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia, Saima Wazed brought attention towards the need for prioritizing oral health to tackle diseases and bring about positive health outcomes in South-East Asia.
“World Oral Health Day, marked annually on 20 March, draws attention to oral health being a key indicator of overall health, well-being and quality of life.
Oral diseases are among the most common noncommunicable diseases worldwide, affecting an estimated 3.5 billion people,” Wazed said.
She noted that the World Health Organization is calling on the countries of the South-East Asia Region and partners for accelerated action, reiterating the commitments of the Bangkok Declaration “No Health Without Oral Health”, adopted at the WHO Global Oral Health Meeting in November 2024. She noted that oral diseases and conditions cause physical symptoms, functional limitations, and a detrimental impact on emotional, mental and social well-being. Among the six WHO regions, South-East Asia reports the highest number — approximately 900 million cases of oral diseases and conditions — reflecting the region’s large population. Our region also has the highest burden of oral cancer among all WHO regions. — ANI

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

NAY PYI TAW March 19

Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, accompanied by Shan State Chief Minister U Aung Aung, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Commander of the Eastern Command, and other res ponsible officials, visited and delivered words of encouragement to officers, other ranks, and members of the People's Militia (Local) who are receiving treatment at the military hospital in Aungban Town, Shan State (South), this morning.

First, the Vice-Senior General and party arrived at the local military hospital in Aungban Town, where they were welcomed and greeted by the hospital commandant, military medical officers, and responsible officials.

Subsequently, the commandant briefed the Vice-Senior General on the current healthcare services provided to officers, other ranks, members of the People's Militia (Local), and local civilians, as well as other necessary requirements, in the hospital's conference hall. The Vice-Senior General provided guidance and addressed the necessary needs.

Following this, the Vice-Senior General and his entourage individually inquired about the health conditions of the officers, other ranks, and members of the People's Militia (Local) who were injured while performing national defence and security duties and are now receiving treatment at the hospital. They offered words of encouragement and provided food.

Similarly, the wife of the Vice-Senior General, Daw Than Than Nwe, and her entourage visited the women and children's ward, where they met with patients receiving treatment, offered words of encouragement, and distributed food.

Later, the Vice-Senior General presented gifts and cash rewards to the healthcare staff serving at the hospital, which were received by the responsible officials.

Source: https://myawady.net.mm/

CALIFORNIA authorities have culled 119,000 ducks at a Merced County farm after detecting H5N9 bird flu, a strain confirmed for the first time in US poultry, international health officials report.
A new strain of bird flu has been confirmed at a duck farm in California, the first time the variant has been discovered in poultry in the United States, an international agency said.
A report by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), which AFP saw on Tuesday, said “highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N9” had been confirmed in a commercial duck premise in Merced County, California.
“This is the first confirmed case of HPAI H5N9 in poultry in the United States,” said Paris-based WOAH, which monitors animal diseases worldwide.
It said the outbreak, whose origin was unknown, was confirmed on 13 January and all 119,000 poultry at the farm in question had been culled.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu, which is widespread among animals in the United States, was also registered at the farm. US animal health officials were conducting “comprehensive epidemiological investigations” and had increased surveillance in response to the outbreak, the WOAH said.
The emergence of the new strain of bird flu in the United States comes at a time when President Donald Trump has decided to withdraw the country from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The US is the largest donor to the United Nations health agency, which coordinates the worldwide response to health emergencies.
Health experts have been sounding the alarm about the potential pandemic threat to humans posed by bird flu, which has been showing signs of mutating as it spreads among cows and infects people in the United States.
They have for months been urging US authorities to increase surveillance and share more information about its bird flu outbreak.
If the US and the WHO no longer cooperate and share critical data, tracking the spread of viruses internationally will be more difficult.
The US withdrawal is “a concern for global health”, the WHO said last week.
Sixty-seven people in the United States have contracted bird flu, one of whom died in early January, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said this week.
These cases were caused by direct exposure to a sick animal and the WHO has stressed that, to date, no human-to-human transmission has been reported. But scientists have raised fears that if a person becomes infected with both bird flu and seasonal flu, the bird flu virus could mutate into a strain that is contagious between humans and potentially trigger a human pandemic._AFP

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Everybody, Mingalaba!

First of all, I would like to extend my greetings and best wishes to all the distinguished guests attending today’s “53rd Myanmar Health Research Congress,” wishing you all peace of mind, good health, and prosperity in every aspect.

The Myanmar Health Re-search Congress has been held for 53 times to conduct health research of Myanmar keeping abreast of other countries.

The first congress was successfully held in 1965. During the early years of the congress, only research papers were submitted. However, starting from the health research congress held in 1991, research poster exhibitions were introduced. From the 2002 congress onwards, subject-wise seminars were also incorporated, making the congresses more impactful and extensive.

Research findings based on solid and reliable results emerging from health-related research congresses are instrumental in formulating modern and appropriate health policies for the nation. They also play a significant role in enhancing the effectiveness of healthcare initiatives, ensuring accessible and quality healthcare for everyone, and driving large-scale processes aimed at improving overall public health outcomes.

The theme for the 53rd Myanmar Health Research Congress is reported to be: "Moving forward to a healthy lifestyle and addressing health risk behaviors." It aims to shed light on the growing significance of non-communicable diseases in the current context.

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with relevant ministries, effectively implemented measures to prevent, control, and treat diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, with the aim of controlling the rise of non-communicable diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) is working together with the Department of Public Health, the Department of Medical Services, the Department of Human Resources for Health, and the Department of Medical Research under the Ministry of Health. They are conducting the "STEP Survey 2024," a study to assess the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Myanmar.

Especially, it is essential for our people to maintain good basic health and live long, healthy, and resilient lives. To achieve this, it is necessary to promote the selection and consumption of nutritious and health- conscious foods, as well as to encourage health-conscious lifestyles and behaviors. This involves advancing practical health research related to these areas, widely disseminating the findings to the public, and providing knowledge to raise awareness.

Regarding traditional medicine, it is essential to collaborate with senior traditional medicine practitioners and the Department of Traditional Medicine to conduct practical research. This will ensure tangible benefits for the public, strengthen the foundation of our country's traditional medical practices, and enable traditional medicine products to penetrate the inter-national market by generating more reliable and robust re-search-based data.

It is essential to make decisions and formulate health policies based on accurate and reliable research findings. Therefore, researchers conducting these studies must fully under-stand the significance of their findings and consistently adhere to research ethics. This aware-ness and commitment are crucial at all times.

In our country, it is essential to foster a mindset of thoroughly exploring, studying, and con-ducting research before under-taking any activities. This means encouraging the emergence of young people and intellectuals with a passion for research. We need to take action to ensure the development of individuals who are committed to research in accordance with ethical standards. To achieve this, efforts should be made to establish a thriving research culture in the country, with numerous researchers emerging. This includes systematically reorganizing research advisory committees and enhancing the structure of research ethics boards as needed. Such measures are necessary to promote the growth and sustainability of a research-oriented culture.

The organizing committee for the congress has categorized the research papers submitted into three systematic categories: fundamental research papers, applied research papers, and papers on social and healthcare systems. The committee has reviewed and selected these sub-missions to ensure they are suitable for presentation during the congress. It has been planned to present 54 research papers and display 43 posters as part of the event.

It is known that the award selection committee has re-viewed and chosen the best papers and posters from those submitted to this conference, and there are plans to present awards to recognize and honor them appropriately.

In conclusion, I would like to express my best wishes for success in these efforts to conduct research.

-  When conducting health research, prioritize the public's benefit by improving the overall health standards of the people. Focus on basic healthcare improvement, promoting healthy living and nutrition, understanding the nature of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and taking proactive measures for prevention. Increase practical research, traditional medicine studies, and interna-tional research collaborations to advance these goals.

-  The research findings should also be shared with the public in a timely manner through activities such as organizing congresses, publishing research journals, and releasing magazines, in order to inform and alert the public accordingly.

-  Similarly, when the public attends and receives treatment at people’s hospitals, efforts should be made to ensure the provision of care that guarantees mental well-being, patient safety, and high-quality medical services. Practical research activities related to medical treatment and hospital management should be enhanced to achieve these objectives.

-  Through health research activities, may we be able to adopt health policies suitable for our country, ensure that everyone has access to high-quality healthcare, and work towards improving the level of healthcare in our country.

Thank you, all.

Antimicrobial resistance could claim 40 million lives by 2050 if left unchecked, UK Special Envoy on AMR and England’s former chief medical officer, Sally Davies, told the Observer on Sunday.

Antimicrobial resistance(AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses and other types of germs become stronger than the medications used to treat them – creating so-called “superbugs. ”As a result, targeted infections become difficult or impossible to treat.

Speaking to the Observer, Davies described AMR as a growing “antibiotic emergency” that threatens routine medical procedures like surgery and childbirth, and which could become life-threatening.

AMR is responsible for approximately one million deaths annually, but that figure is set to double by 2050, according to Davies. Older populations are particularly vulnerable, with mortality rates for people over 70 increasing by 80 percent since 1990, she added.

Despite efforts to limit antibiotic prescriptions and misuse, about 70 percent of all existing antibiotics are used in livestock globally, creating reservoirs of resistant bacteria.

“We’re essentially throwing antibiotics at cows and chickens and sheep as cheap alternatives to giving them growth promoters or prophylactics to prevent the spread of disease,” Davies said. “If you’ve got intensive farming where a lot of antibiotics are used or a busy hospital that has a poor sewage system, resistant bacteria can get into waterways."

The bacteria evolve quickly, multiplying every 20 minutes, and can travel via winds and rain, further complicating containment. “They also mutate a great deal, and if they do so in the presence of antibiotics and that mutation protects them, these strains will multiply, ” Davies explained to the Observer. RTR

Source: Myawady Daily Newspaper

THE United States’ top government doctor on Friday called for health warnings on alcoholic drinks to highlight that they cause cancer and urged a reassessment of daily consumption limits due to the risks.
Surgeon-General Vivek Murthy said that the connection between alcohol and cancer has been known since the 1980s, with mounting evidence reinforcing the dangers. Yet, mandatory warning labels fail to address the health threat.
“Alcohol is a well-established, preventable cause of cancer, responsible for about 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States,” Murthy said in a statement, emphasizing that this toll exceeds the approximately 13,500 alcohol-related traffic fatalities each year.
“Yet the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk,” he added, underscoring the urgent need for public education. Introduced in 1988, the existing warning label only states that “women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects” and that “consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems”.
Dr Murthy urged Congress to update alcohol warnings, highlighting its link to seven cancers. Despite this, public awareness remains
low. A 2019 survey showed only 45 per cent of Americans recognized alcohol’s cancer risk. Additionally, 17 per cent of alcohol-related cancer deaths occur in those within recommended drinking limits, suggesting the need for reevaluation. — AFP

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency after new cases of the H5N1 avian influenza virus were detected in dairy cows in southern California, while insisting that the risk to the general public remains low. The virus has been spreading through US dairy cattle herds since March, affecting at least 16 states. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports no confirmed human-to-human transmission so far, at least 61 human cases have been detected across the country, including 34 in California.“ This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure that government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak,” Newsom said in a statement on Wednesday. “While the risk to the public remains low, we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus. ”The H5N1 virus is considered particularly dangerous with regard to human infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded more than 860 confirmed cases since 2003, with about 53 percent resulting in death. No deaths have been reported in the US as part of the current outbreak, which began in 2022 on poultry farms and led to the culling of more than 100 million birds in an attempt to control the spread of the disease. California is the first state to declare an emergency, though Colorado issued a targeted ‘disaster’ alert in July. Newsom’s declaration follows the detection of new infections on dairy farms in southern California.  The state has already implemented measures to combat bird flu by working with dairy and poultry farms to minimize employee exposure, as most cases are linked to dairy and poultry workers. The CDC confirmed the first case of severe illness in a person due to bird flu from a Louisiana case on Wednesday. The patient was reportedly in close contact with sick and dead birds from a backyard flock.The Food and Drug Admini-stration (FDA) has assured consumers that grocery-shelf beef and dairy products are safe to consume but advised against drinking raw milk. RT

Source : Myawady daily Newspaper

COLUMBIA researchers developed probiotic bacteria that train the immune system to eliminate cancer cells, paving the way for a new class of cancer vaccinations that take advantage of bacteria’s innate tumour-targeting abilities.

These microbial cancer vaccines can be tailored to each person’s specific original tumour and metastases, perhaps preventing future recurrences. In mice models of advanced colorectal cancer and melanoma, the bacterial vaccine stimulated the immune system, causing primary and metastatic malignancies to shrink or in many cases disappear entirely. All while leaving healthy body parts alone.

The findings were published in Nature. Researchers at Columbia University have developed a novel bacterial vaccine that demonstrates greater efficacy than peptide based therapeutic cancer vaccines used in prior clinical trials. This innovative approach effectively activates the entire immune system, promoting a robust antitumor response, especially in challenging advanced solid tumor models.

The personalized vaccine targets unique genetic mutations specific to each tumor, utilizing genetically engineered E. coli bacteria to produce neoantigens proteins that mark cancer cells for immune system attack.

Columbia researchers created a probiotic-based cancer vaccine that trains the immune system to target and eliminate tumors, showing promising results in mice models for advanced cancers. The idea of using bacteria in cancer treatment dates back to the late 19th century when Dr. William Coley observed tumor regression in patients injected with bacteria.

Modern research has revealed that some bacteria can naturally migrate to tumors, thriving in low-oxygen environments and eliciting immune responses. However, these natural interactions often lack the precision needed to effectively target and destroy tumors.

The new bacterial vaccine begins with a probiotic strain of E. coli, which researchers have genetically modified to enhance its interaction with the immune system.

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar

WHEN someone with an emotional issue or mental illness struggles with the idea of seeing a therapist in person, there is now another option: speaking to an artificial intelligence (AI) therapist through a WeChat mini program.

The AI therapist can answer questions about mental health, conduct mental health assessments and judge a person’s emotional state by capturing facial expressions with the camera on the mobile phone. It was presented at the two-day 2024 World Computing Conference held this week in Changsha, the capital of central China’s Hunan Province.

“The AI therapist will reply accordingly with its diagnosis and recommendations, speaking in an appropriate tone that should help comfort the person,” said Yu Min, executive dean of the innovation research institute of Hunan Trasen Science & Technology Corp Ltd, developer of the AI medical system.

People can also reach out to an AI doctor that can diagnose users after they describe their symptoms. It can also carry out traditional Chinese medicine tongue diagnosis and provide recipes and exercise recommendations to achieve improved balance and harmony within the body.

“Traditional models cannot meet the need to develop such systems in medical services, which require a high level of accuracy. However, fast-developing computing power has provided us with strong support to develop this medical system in a more

accurate way,” Yu said.

According to Pan Yunhe, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, new models are expected to help us become more knowledgeable and work toward preventive treatments for diseases in the coming years if data gathered from physical examinations, disease cases, families and regions is combined.

With extreme weather events increasing in frequency, computing power also has a huge role to play in the prevention and control of natural disasters.

Thanks to a disaster monitoring and early warning platform, six households in Dayingang Village, Hunan’s Changde City, were able to relocate before a landslide occurred due to a week of rainfall in June.

The platform, developed by Hunan BDS Micro-chipset Data Technology Co Ltd, is able to capture subtle changes in mountains by deploying high-precision monitoring equipment and sensors based on the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, said Long Pengyu, the company’s deputy general manager.

“The platform can analyze the monitoring data to determine the mountain’s status and predict natural disasters such as mudslides and landslides more than three hours in advance of their occurrence,” he said.

The prevention of geological disasters such as landslides is an important task during the flood season in Hunan. Landslides develop quickly in extreme weather, and early warnings can now be sent via radio and text messages to help residents relocate in advance to avoid deaths, injuries and financial losses, Long added.

To date, the monitoring and early warning platform has been applied in more than 10 provinces in China.

“With accelerating technological innovation and algorithm improvement, we now have better warning results and accuracy levels. As a developer, we’re also making efforts to reduce costs so that the platform can be used over a wider range and benefit more residents,” he said.

The scale of China’s computing industry reached 2.6 trillion yuan (about US$370 billion) in 2022, according to official statistics. SOURCE: Xinhua

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar