20 October

THE changing situation in the political, economic, health, and  other  sectors  demands  that  the  existing  National  Health Policy, which was written in 1993, be updated so it can be in tune with the times.

A new health policy is being drafted, and it is targeted to be complete next year.

The new policy must give priority to raising health awareness, prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases, school health, safety of patients, and health research,

Besides, the new policy must encourage grooming medical practitioners  who  follow  ethical  practices,  ensure  cooperation  between the private and government sectors, promote physical exercise, and development of healthcare services.

In the new health policy, providing everyone access to healthcare services, following a  people-centered  approach  and  coordination  to  harmonize  the  different  principles  of  the  policy  must  be  given  special  attention. Learning  healing policies of neighboring countries is also a must.In spite of many surveys and research being conduct-ed  on  the  country’s  health-care system, practical implementation is still weak in the public health sector.

Although  surveys  and  research  have  indicated  the  requirements  that  need  to  be  fulfilled  in  the  sector,  it  is  still  hard  to  find  the  ways  and means to achieve public healthcare development.

The ultimate goal of the Myanmar  National  Health  Plan (2017-2021) is to be able to provide basic healthcare services at a low cost in any area by the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

To reach that goal, the National Health Plan envisages cooperation with healthcare organizations, private healthcare services, non-governmental organizations, ethnic healthcare teams, development partners, and healthcare programmes.

Rural health centres need urgent help in terms of refresher training for staff who have devoted a significant number of years in healthcare services.

Practical implementation in the public health sector should be encouraged with surveys and research on the country’s health-care system.

Most  importantly,  to  be  in  harmony  with  global  goals,  the  strategies of the new policy should be in line with the country’s sustainable  development  goals  (SDGs)  and  Myanmar  Health  Expectation-2030.