A comment from a reader in response to the article on drug use in the Irrawaddy yesterday and posted as [him] 2743. I agree with these points. Jamie ++++++++++++++++++ A welcome piece in the Myanmar Irrawaddy news-outlet, though with a striking stigma issue and ignoring established evidence. The well written article concludes with “Drug addiction […]

There are some who no longer call a drug problem a disease. A term that helps us all to think more clearly and act more effectively is drug use disorder. Decriminalisation would only decriminalise drug use. Selling drugs would still be a criminal act. The draft drug law amendments look progressive. Does anyone have an […]

Here is an informative posting with a positive video about drug use and harm reduction in Indonesia. http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2017/march/20170316_PEKA When will such a film be produced about Myanmar? Jamie

The report of the first Demographic and Health Survey for Myanmar has been released. Read it carefully. There are several different presentations of the findings on the website. https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR324/FR324.pdf One of the key findings is that the Infant Mortality Rate is 40/1000 livebirths & the child mortality rate is 50/1000 livebirths. The range is 40 […]

How will Tai health systems be transformed? Read this analysis. Jamie ++++++++++++++++++ Possibilities for transformation of the Tai health system in Shan State, Myanmar Sharon Bell DevPolicy blog March 22, 2017 Myanmar has endured over sixty years of conflict between the state and various non-state armed ethnic groups throughout the country. During this time the […]

There is so much to say on TB day. Here is a link to the Global TB report with Myanmar well featured in it. TB incidence in Myanmar is not decreasing much and treatment is not keeping up. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/250441/1/9789241565394-eng.pdf And a press release by MSF. Jamie ++++++++++++++++++ Myanmar – New Hope for TB patients Press […]

Three hundred and twenty-one million dollars is a lot of Global Fund money to programme, don’t you think? Much of it goes to the Ministry of Health. https://twitter.com/EHHamid/status/844077637274292225 Good luck to all involved. Jamie

Pharma is giving money for diabetes. Jamie ++++++++++++++++++ Myanmar to implement four-year diabetes program Myint Kay Thi Myanmar Times Tuesday, 14 March 2017 The Ministry of Health and Sports together with the Novo Nordisk Company have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to implement the Myanmar Diabetes Care Program from 2017 to 2020. The signing […]

The only plans to tackle stunting in children in this article are those proposed by the private sector. What is the output or outcome or plan from the unprecedented high level meeting in Magway that Suu Kyi attended? “Eating habits were a major contributor to nutrition problems, the study found.” They are the *only* contributor. […]

So has the crisis been resolved? And the issue? Jamie ++++++++++++++++++ Nursing Students Reach Agreement With Health Ministry Tin Htet Paing The Irrawaddy 20 March 2017 RANGOON — Nursing students who protested delayed licensing have reached an agreement with the Ministry of Health and Sports following an informal meeting between the two parties. Several hundred […]

Three articles, probably outdated by the time you read them. This is probably the biggest human resources for health crisis of the last several years. It will be fascinating to see how both sides handle themselves. Precedents will be set. Good luck to all. Jamie ++++++++++++++++++ Health Ministry Stands Firm as Nursing Students Protest Delayed […]

I have received comments on the recent reporting on the National Health Plan. Especially in response to spotty reporting by Eleven Myanmar. The plan is a step on the way to Universal Health Coverage. Thanks to an anonymous reader for this: ++++++++++++++++++ The National Health Plan is not a ‘project’. The National Health Plan covers […]