An opening ceremony of the Eighth ASEAN Health Clus­ter-1 Healthy Lifestyle Promo­tion Meeting was held at Horizon Lake View Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw with a hybrid system yesterday morning.

During the event, Union Min­ister for Health Dr Thet Khaing Win said that since non-commu­nicable diseases are recognized as a significant public health pri­ority, they are considered essen­tial processes in the health sector.

He said that non-communi­cable disease treatment clinics are being opened in rural areas to prevent and treat non-com­municable diseases, and he high­lighted the importance of mental health as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In terms of tobacco and to­bacco control, he stressed that Myanmar is the third country among ASEAN countries to apply packaging patterns in accord­ance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization. In order to implement the ASEAN Post-2015 Health Development Process 2021-2025 and the work plans of the ASEAN Health Clus­ters, it is necessary to speed up efforts using health resources in order to catch up with the time and speed lost due to the COV­ID-19 pandemic.

He acknowledged and re­corded that the ASEAN health sector is truly valuing and chang­ing the way of life of the people of ASEAN and responding to the rapidly changing needs and chal­lenges of the region.

Furthermore, the Union minister said that after review­ing the completed activities for ASEAN Health Sector develop­ment, Myanmar will strengthen the activities to promote healthy lifestyles.

Representatives from ASE­AN countries then discussed the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, tobacco use, drinking control, occupational safety, healthcare for workers, mental health, elder­ly health, nutrition development and healthy food choices.

The meeting, chaired by the director-general of the Public Health Department, the Ministry of Health of Myanmar, will con­tinue till 13 June. — MNA/KZL