UNION Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe held a videoconference on 28 August with the team of United States Agency for International Development on its further healthcare assistance to Myanmar in malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and maternal and child health and measures against COVID-19.

The responsible persons from the USAID’s offices in the United States and Myanmar participated in the discussion with MoHS headquarters in Nay Pyi Taw.

Deputy Chief of Mission Ms Gwen Cardno expressed the readiness to continue USAID’s health assistance to Myanmar and asked for the needs of Myanmar.

Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe advised the USAID officers to make their visits to its project areas in Myanmar, the need of short-term training programmes at US-CDC on communicable diseases for MoHS staff members.

The Union Minister added the capacity and technical assistance of USAID could promote capabilities of public healthcare staff and long-term healthcare sector.

Acting Mission Director Pamela Fessenden from the USAID said further health assistance, and asked about the ministry’s instructions, recommendations and advice on the existing aid of USAID.

Director Karen Cavanaugh from the USAID-Office of Public Health presented US$6.5 million through the Access to Health Fund for COVID-19 response health sector.

The USAID is also providing healthcare item, including PPE sets, for the people at the relief camps and quarantine centres of less-developed areas in Kachin, Shan, Mon, Rakhine, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Sagaing and Yangon.

The COVID-19 response fund is included $700,000 through WHO, $600,000 through UNICEF and 500,000 through SCI, as well as 6 millions of humanitarian and emergency assistance through UNICEF, IOM and the Relief International.

The USAID will also provide technical assistance and vaccination programmes from the United States.

After discussions about the USAID’s healthcare assistance, the Union Minister said the joint plan of his office and USAID next year’s projects by the Access to Health Fund are principally acceptable, and agreed to sign MoU on TB partnership between the two organizations to fight against tuberculosis as it is necessary for the country.

The Union Minister affirmed his agreements on the Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey project which will be implemented in 2021 with the assistance of USAID, and stressed the need for analysis on the composite index on the projects at operation level.

He added the requirement of Myanmar for digital health which has been proposed by the USAID, and implemented by the digital square system.

MNA (Translated by Aung Khin)