It hardly need be emphasized that research and development plays a pivotal role
in bringing about the development of a nation. This being the case, every
nation in the world tries to serve the best interest of their people by
focusing their attention on research and development. The Union of Myanmar is
also encouraging research and development work in every sector.

The opening ceremony of the Myanmar Health Research Congress of the Ministry of
Health took place at the Medical Research Department (Lower Myanmar) in Yangon
on the morning of 3 February and Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, also
Chairman of the National Health Committee, delivered a speech on the occasion.
The Prime Minister, in his address, said that, at a time when the Government
was expending its efforts to raise the health standard of people by laying down
the noble objective, viz, health and fitness of the entire nation, the annual
holding of the congress with full participation of researchers from all areas
of medical science would contribute a lot to the professional skills of the
researchers as well as to the national interests. Moreover, the congress will
enable the researchers to exchange experiences and to apply the findings of
their research effectively in the health care services.

In accordance with the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe,
health research departments were opened not only in the City of Yangon but also
in the Upper and the Lower Myanmar. Moreover, the Government has opened the
National Blood Research Centre, the National Poison Control Centre and the
Hepatitis B Vaccine Factory to deal with various health challenges and spent a
lot of money on health research facilities, about US$ 700,000 in the years 2001
and 2002 to say exactly. Researches on Myanmar traditional medicines are being
encouraged to be able to treat the six major diseases with traditional
medicines and production of traditional medicines are well under way.

We would like to call upon all those responsible and researchers to try to the
best of their abilities for the development of medical science and health
research.