THE 2023 World Heart Day commemoration ceremony took place at Nay Pyi Taw's Wunna Theikdi Gymnasium B yesterday. During the event, Union Minister for Health Dr Thet Khaing Win addressed the audience, highlighting the glob­al impact of heart and cardio­vascular diseases, which claim over 20.5 million lives annually. He emphasized that unhealthy lifestyle choices such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, and excessive al­cohol consumption contribute to 85 per cent of these deaths, primarily due to sudden cardi­ac arrest, cerebral ischemia, cerebral haemorrhages, and strokes.

This year's World Heart Day theme, "Use Heart, Know Heart," aligns with the State Administration Council's so­cial objective of promoting the health and sports sectors to ensure the nation's life expec­tancy and well-being.

The Ministry of Health is actively implementing the Na­tional Strategy for the Preven­tion and Control of Non-Com­municable Diseases (2023-2027) to reduce the incidence and mortality of non-communica­ble diseases, including heart and vascular diseases.

Nationwide, 7,476 non-com­municable disease screening and treatment clinics, operat­ing from rural health branches levels, provide free screening and treatment every Wednes­day. Essential medications and supplies are provided to indi­viduals with basic heart, high blood pressure, and diabetes conditions.

Advanced medical care, using state-of-the-art equip­ment and technology for heart patients, is available in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon, and Mandalay. Collaborations with South­east Asian and international organizations are underway, with plans to establish Coro­nary Care Units in regional/ state hospitals.

Following the ceremony, the Union minister visited the World Heart Day commemo­ration gallery and observed heart health screenings on the second day of the event.

— MNA/TS

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