Building health centres is only a small part of 'health systems strengthening'. But it sure will help the 3MDG Fund burn up that three hundred million dollars fast.
Are medical waste disposal facilities built at each one of these one hundred new health centres?
And isn't it time for a midterm evaluation of the 3MDG Fund?
Jamie
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Construction starts on first of 100 health facilities to boost primary health care in Myanmar
3MDG Fund
May 19, 2015
Representatives from the MoH and 3MDG ‘break the ground’ in Magway to begin the construction of the first of 100 new health centres across Myanmar
In order to provide critical primary health care to poor and vulnerable communities across Myanmar, the Three Millennium Development Goal Fund (3MDG) formally started the construction work on 14th May 2015 on the first of up to 100 rural health facilities.
The ground breaking ceremony for the sub-rural health centre in Seik Phyu Township, Magway Region was led by Dr Yin Thandar Lwin, Deputy Director General of the Department of Public Health of the Ministry of Health.
The health facility is one of the 17 to be built in Magway with another 48 sites already identified in Chin, Sagaing, Shan, Kayah and Ayeyarwady. In total around 100 Rural Health Centres (RHCs) and sub-RHCs will be constructed, along with staff accommodation. The cost of the project is around $15 million.
Poor health infrastructure in rural areas has been highlighted as a factor undermining health service delivery. Well located and high quality rural health facilities will provide primary health care to communities who often find it difficult to access health care. In particular, the facilities will support maternal, newborn and child health and the battle against communicable diseases.
The 3MDG Fund is a US$334 million fund established in 2012 to support the Ministry of Health’s plans to strengthen health systems and accelerate service delivery, particularly to the poorest and most vulnerable communities in Myanmar. It is supported by Australia, Denmark, the European Union, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and managed by UNOPS (United Nations Office of Project Services).
Also attending the ground breaking ceremony were State Health officials, Mr Sanjay Mathur, Director and Representative of UNOPS in Myanmar and Dr Paul Sender, Director of the 3MDG Fund.
Dr Sender said: “By working with the Minister of Health and State Health authorities to bring quality health services to rural communities the 3MDG Fund can make a real difference to the lives of people in need.”
UNOPS is managing the construction work. Mr Mathur said: “Good quality and well thought out buildings support the MoH in its goal of providing Universal Health Coverage.”
Rural health facilities will contain examinations rooms, delivery facilities, a large hall and waiting room and offices for staff. There will also be housing for key staff to ensure that the facility is manned. Electricity, water and sanitary facilities are also included.
This initiative comes in support of the key infrastructure priorities of the Ministry of Health with sites identified in coordination with the MoH and state authorities. The goal is to have around 100 facilities completed by the end of 2016.
http://www.3mdg.org/newsroom/health-systems-strengthening/item/667-construction-first-100-health-facilities-to-boost-primary-health-care-myanmar#.VVzZPUYsBOr
