Ethnic and community based health organizations issued a call for Burma’s new government to recognize community based health services that are being carried out in ethnic areas. These services are often provided in remote places that are far from the government’s health services.
Led by the Health Convergence Core Group (HCCG), which is composed of eight border-based and ethnic health organizations, the health organizations made the above demand at the twice yearly meeting on health reforms in Burma held in Mae Sot, Thailand from March 24 to 25.
The Burma Medical Association (BMA)’s director Saw Nay Htoo told KIC that he hopes that the new government will listen to the (HCCG) concerns. “If the new government recognizes our existing health organizations, health policies, and health workers, many health-related burdens of the new government will be lifted,” he said.
During the meeting, ethnic health organizations expressed their desire for a decentralization of the health system. They proposed different system with a division of power and the involvement of local grass roots organizations.
Around 110 people from 21 border-based social organizations, support groups, and HCCG members attended the meeting. Those attending discussed a list of health services and policies and health-related issues that need to be discussed with the new government.
HCCG said it has been drafting the health system and policies that are in line with the federal union since 2014. The group has plans to continue discussion with the new government including health issues relating to the peace processes.
Saya Philip, director of the Karenni Mobile Health Committee (KnMHC), said the government needs to establish a health system that targets the needs of ethnic people.
“The new government needs to carry out special health schemes for the ethnic areas. I want them to listen to the voices of the local ethnic people and organizations in carrying out [the schemes]. For example, no matter how talented the health officer is in the mainland, he or she won’t be able to work effectively if he or she doesn’t understand the local language,” Saya Philip said.
Ethnic health organizations have been providing a range of medical services for a number of years. This includes maternal and child welfare services, reproductive health, family health, clean water and environment, infectious disease control, health education, health news system, nutrition and vaccinating children under the age of five.
HCCG was established in May 2012 with four ethnic health organizations and four community-based health organizations that operate in border and ethnic areas. The group’s aim is to improve health coverage in ethnic and remote areas.
