At this opening of the third annual meeting of the Global Alliance
for the Elimination of Leprosy, I would like, first of all, to
express my deepest gratitude to His Excellency General Khin Nyunt
for being with us this morning. I would also like to thank His
Excellency Professor Kyaw Myint, the Minister of Health and all
other people at the Ministry of Health, whose dedicated efforts
have made this meeting possible.

I visited Myanmar twice before in 1999 and in 2001. When I met with
His Excellency General Khyn Nyunt, we found that we shared the view
that the political commitment of the leaders is vital if we are to
achieve the elimination of leprosy. At the same time I asked His
Excellency's help for transmitting such messages to general public
as Leprosy is curable, Free drugs are available at all
primary health centers, and Social discrimination has no
place. People must be educated about the disease. His
Excellency Khyn Nyunt told me that the vigorous efforts were
already being made, but kindly agreed to do their best to even
further disseminate these messages. This effort has had results. I
am sure that you will all be impressed with what the Myanmar
delegation has to report to this meeting.

When I came at those times, I also had the opportunity to visit
places such as local clinics, not only in Yangon but in other
provinces as well, where I was impressed to see midwives and local
medical staff working together with the people from NGOs. I was
very moved in particular by a young couple I met at one of the
hospitals. They were engaged, but the young woman had leprosy.
However, she stirred my heart by telling me with shining eyes that,
once she was cured, she would marry him.