AGENCIES SEEK MAJOR INVESTMENT IN AFGHAN HEALTH SECTOR

March 5, 2002 Keralamonitor.com

Introducing CHARME - The Science of Skin Renewal

Northridge, California - 5 March 2002 (PRN): CHARME Revolutionalizing the treatment of skin irritations and conditions by combining science and nature. Mikuni American Corporation has introduced the technology of electrolyzation in the first portable unit designed for both personal and professional applications. Restructuring nature’s purest asset . . . WATER, and infusing it with a patented solution producing clinically proven dramatic skin renewal, hydration, protection, and symptom relief benefits.

With over 78 years of company history, Mikuni American Corporation’s parent company, Mikuni Corporation, has achieved highly competitive manufacturing skills with fluid control technology within the automotive industry, and have now diversified to focus on applying their core technology to the development of products designed for our new century of health and well-being.

“Although diversification from our core business is a challenge for us, we have committed t applying our efforts for continuous development of our new technology to search for the answer in achieving and maintaining optimum health by bringing back the balance of body and mind. Modern technology provides us with more convenience, entertainment, and excitement in our daily lives, but it also creates negative factors through the cumulative effects of our demanding lifestyles, exposure to pollutants, and increased stress levels. ‘Health, Well-Being, and Preventative’ are the key words and focus for our new century.” Shigeru Ikuta, GM Mikuni American Corporation, Aqua Techno Division.

Boasting a patented, highly sophisticated delivery system, Charme produces fresh acidic water on demand through the process of electrolysis. Electrolysis is the process of the separation of ions to create acidic water (low pH) and alkaline water (high pH). The process enables the production of small clusters of molecules that can easily penetrate the skin more effectively, providing superior hydration, accelerated cell renewal, and protective benefits.

Extensive clinical studies on bactericidal effects of low pH acidic water have proven significant positive results. Used and tested in hospitals and medical centers for the treatment of Eczema, bed sores, minor cuts and burns, sterilization, scarring, and many other skin conditions.

“Low pH acidic water is considered to play an important role in maintaining healthy skin. For example, improving the ‘barrier function’ of the skin by means of astriction allows us to expect healthier skin conditions. More academic research in the field of dermatology will hopefully be conducted in the future.” Dr. Takayoshi, visiting Professor Texas University School of Medicine, Health Science Center.

March 5, 2002 Keralamonitor.com

AGENCIES SEEK MAJOR INVESTMENT IN AFGHAN HEALTH SECTOR

International agencies, including WHO, UNICEF and NGOs, have issued an
appeal to international donors for $128,901,348 for humanitarian and
immediate reconstruction activities for the health sector in Afghanistan
for 2002. This funding request is part of the Immediate and Transitional
Assistance Programme (ITAP) for the Afghan people.

WHO is seeking $60,451,015 to support the Afghan Ministry of Health start
developing a health system for the country, after decades of neglect and
for WHO activities in support of the Afghan refugees and local population
in neighbouring countries. This is the largest funding request ever made
by WHO for health activities in Afghanistan for a single year.

"Developing a functional health care system must be a top priority in the
reconstruction of Afghanistan," said Dr. Mohammed Jama, WHO Regional
Coordinator for the Afghanistan crisis, "As long as hundreds of thousand
of Afghans continue to die from preventable diseases, a stable future for
the country can not be guaranteed."

Afghanistan suffers from one of the poorest health conditions in the
world. Six million Afghans have no access to medical care. Women are
particularly vulnerable, with more than 16,000 women dying each year from
pregnancy-related causes. One-fourth of Afghan children die before their
fifth birthdays, often from preventable diseases such as measles.

Within the framework of Inter-Agency collaboration, WHO is proposing an
essential package of health services based on the primary health care
concept for Afghans to reduce high morbidity and mortality rates. WHO's
aim is to develop and extend existing programmes to control communicable
diseases, such as malaria, and tuberculosis which together kill over half
a million Afghans per year. Making motherhood safer, integrated management
of childhood illnesses, and establishing mental health services are
prioritised.

"This package of basic services is designed to offer the basis of
acceptable health care in Afghanistan, " said Dr. Said Youssouf, the WHO
Representative in Afghanistan.

Another objective is to establish services for priority programmes such as
emergency obstetric and trauma care. Currently, 50 of the country's 220
districts have no medical facility available.

Making blood transfusion safe is also a WHO objective in 2002. Currently,
about half of Afghanistan 44 hospitals performing surgery have no means of
testing blood for infectious diseases such as hepatitis, or HIV.

WHO believes that improved health for all Afghans is a key requisite for
peace and security in Afghanistan. Better health also has an essential
role to play in social and economic development. For every dollar
invested in health, there is a several fold return on the investment.

The total funding package for health being sought for Afghanistan in 2002
is equivalent to just over $5.00 per person. Globally, WHO suggests that
$34 per person per year is required to provide basic health services, but
currently Afghanistan's ability to absorb such large influxes of funds
remain limited.

"Building Afghanistan's health sector is a long-term process," said Dr.
Jama. "It will require careful planning, coordination and must be,
above-all, an Afghan-driven process."

The Afghan Ministry of Health has already made important strides toward
establishing a functioning structure for long-term health sector
development. A meeting last month established an organisational structure
for the Ministry and defined roles and responsibilities for each
department. From March 9th to 13th, nearly a hundred Afghan provincial
health officials will participate in a WHO-sponsored training workshop on
health management. This training seminar will be followed by a nation-wide
planning workshop bringing together hundreds of Afghan health officials,
representatives of national and international NGOs, donors and UN
agencies.