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:

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The National Health Plan is not a ‘project’.

The National Health Plan covers a 4-year period (not 5 years), from April 1 2017 to March 31, 2021; it is to be translated into Annual Operational Plans. The first year’s Annual Operational Plan is currently being prepared.

The main goal of the National Health Plan is to ensure that everyone can access a basic Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS) without financial hardship by 2021. This can be seen as the first phase on the country’s path towards Universal Health Coverage.

For the first time, the NHP openly recognizes that essential health services are not only being provided by the public sector; it recognizes the role of EHOs and private sector (mainly GP clinics).

It is being implemented in the entire country, and not only in 70 townships. Investments to expand supply-side readiness, however, will be phased. In the first year of the NHP (i.e., fiscal year 2017-18, which is covered by the first year’s Annual Operational Plan), investments will start in 70 Townships.

These Townships are still being selected. Dr. Thant Sin Htoo (not Thant Sin Tun) is trying to base the selection on objective criteria that reflect where the biggest needs are, including a Health Input Scoring Index. State/Regional Authorities will also have a say in the selection, however.

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Jamie