Junta offers eye treatment for free

_{By Hawkeye/ Lieng Lern}
 
On 21 April 2008, officials from Namkham Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) held a meeting at TPDC office. 30 headmen were in attendance.
 
At the meeting, local authorities ordered the headmen to disseminate the information to the people that anyone with eye problem would be treated free of charge for 4 days from 23-26 April from 9:00 to 15:00 at the city hall in Lashio Township.
 
On 23 April 2008, people who wanted to have their eyes treated were listed and transported to Lashio in cars hired by the local authority, said the source.
 
There were over 2,000 people who went to have their eyes treated from different townships such as Tangyan, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Kutkai, Namkham and Muse.
 
"Only around 80 people were treated," said a local who wishes to be anonymous. "Our people from Namkham were over 200, but only 3 people had a chance to get checked and treated."
 
Some people got bored and went to private clinics, but almost all the clinics were closed.
 
Making it worse, people had to spend their own money for their travel fare when they went back home.