Deputy CM flags off 'Mission Myanmar' team
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 22, 2013:
In a mission to provide free operation to children of Myanmar with cleft lips and palate under the Smile Train Shija Cleft Project, a joint initiative of Smile Train Inc., USA and Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, Imphal, a 12-member team comprising seven doctors and five staffs has set out for Monywa, Myanmar today.
Aptly named as 'Mission Myanmar, the team was flagged off from the campus of Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, Langol by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today.
The operation of Myanmarese children with cleft lips and palate would be conducted in a hospital at Monywa where there are 2 operation theatres and 200 beds, from May 24 to 28. Addressing the gathering in the flag off ceremony, Gaikhangam stated that the mission of Shija Hospital to Myanmar will certainly boost the relationship between India and Myanmar.
He noted that even after more than 20 years of border trade between India and Myanmar, Manipur has not been able to gain anything worthwhile and not able to grab any opportunities from the border trade.
All possible benefits and opportunities have been gained by Myanmar.
While appealing to the people settling in Myanmar to abstain from being self-centered and try to set up a big model city at Moreh, the Deputy Chief Minister disclosed that the Central Government has given the approval for setting up a model city at Moreh and inspection of the exact location where the proposed model city would be set up completed.
He also informed that an office providing facilities of VISA on arrival in Moreh has also been approved by the Centre and the location for setting up of it identified.
Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, who was also present on the occasion, described the 'Mission Myanmar' trip by a team of doctors from Shija Hospital as a historic event.
The 12-member team of 'Mission Myanmar' left Imphal by surface after the flag off, and they would be crossing the Indo Myanmar border on May 23 and reaching Kalewa on the same day where the team would station the night.
The team members which include Dr.Kh Palin and Dr.AK Ibohal, Consultant Plastic Surgery, SHRI, Dr.Sanjib Nepram, HOD Plastic Surgery, RIMS, Dr.Th Dinesh, Consultant Anesthesiology, SHRI, Dr.L.R Singh, Consultant Anesthesiology, Dr.Kh Chetan, Medical Officer, Mr.RK Romen and Mr..YSanjoy, OT Technician, Mrs.Shima Y and Ms.Bishwaya Waikhom, Nurse, Mr.Premjit L, Asst Manager Business Development and Mr.Arun Ng, IT Assistant would reach Monywa on May 24 to screen the patients and begin the operations.
Smile Train Shija Cleft Project, Manipur has been invited by the Government of Myanmar through Indian Consulate General to render free corrective surgeries for birth defect of cleft lip and palate (Roof of Mouth) in a Government Hospital at Monywa, Sagaing Division, Myanmar.