I look forward to solid mainstream media reporting on the National Health Plan.

Jamie

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K55 billion allocated for National Health Plan
Myint Kay Thi
Tuesday, 07 March 2017

Basic primary healthcare packages will be implemented in the National Health Plan (2017-2021) for township and primary-level hospitals such as those with 16 and 25 beds, said its director Dr Thant Sin Htoo.

“We have to meet the infrastructure and manpower demands of health centres and hospitals before we look into the packages,” he said.

This year, the packages will be implemented in 70 townships. The government aims to cover over 280 townships throughout the five-year period under the plan.

Dr Thant Sin Htoo said it would be difficult to cover all townships simultaneously, so 70 would be selected for each year.

“We have chosen the 70 townships for this year. We will announce them after discussing with the state ministers, public health directors and medical services departments at state or regional level.

“The estimated investment for the first year is K55 billion. We are now drawing up the guidelines on how to implement our plan,” he said.

The money will cover 35 medical equipment for each 25-bedded hospital. It will also be spent on ambulances, laboratories, medicines, reconstruction and renovation of rural and sub-rural health centres in the townships.

Dr Thant Sin Htoo said the funds would also cover primary healthcare services for the people, but not all medical services.

“We will announce the package of services later,” he said at an event on the National Health Plan at the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry last Thursday.

Dr Thant Sin Htoo also invited the private sector and relevant organisations to assist the government financially and technically to implement the plan.

The National Health Plan aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.

Brahmaso Humanitarian Aid Organisation president Dr Than Tun Myint agreed that all organisations should do their bit to assist the government in giving the communities access to healthcare.

“The government has asked for assistance so we should help. All civil societies, local and international non-governmental organisations and other relevant groups should assist.

“The local CSOs, for example, will be able to help in outreach programs for communities in the more remote areas,” he said.

http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/25204-k55-billion-allocated-for-national-health-plan.html