Statement by Health Convergence Core Group | March 30, 2016

More than ninety delegates from Burma’s ethnic health organizations, border-based community health organizations, medical professionals, academics, lawyers, women and youth organizations, education, environment, and other community-based organizations have held a Seminar on “Health Reform towards a Devolved Health System in Burma” from March 24 to 25 at a location on the border.

The Seminar discussed policies and programs of ethnic health organizations, Burmese government’s health policy and programs as well as humanitarian work involved in the peace process being implemented by the government and ethnic armed groups.

In accordance with the changes in political development, the Seminar deliberated and decided on recommendations to the new government regarding reform in health policy and health system in addition to ethnic health organizations’ policies and positions as follows:

1. Promptly build genuine internal peace since wars and conflicts in the region bring about a grave health situation;

2. Increase budget for conflict-affected ethnic peoples and remote regions; Formulate and implement priority programs including development of human resources on physicians and health personnel in accordance with local needs;

3. A tripartite consultation of ethnic health organizations, Ministry of Health, and State and Regional Public Health Departments has to be initiated;

4. Support and assist health works of Non- profit private organizations, community-based organizations, ethnic health organizations and international organizations in order to achieve access to comprehensive healthcare for all;

5. Cooperate with community-based organizations and academics including local ethnic peoples for health and social impact analysis and monitoring of regional investment and development projects;

6. In formulating and implementing the national health system, cut down centralization and work towards devolving responsibility to various regional and local levels; Set sights on the principle of Federal Union structure;

7. Ethnic and community health organizations and their existing systems and structures must be formally recognized and maintained (authority and management) in their areas during the interim period of the peace process;

8. In reforming the national health policy and system in accordance with Burma’s political development, ethnic- and community-based health organizations and various civil societies should be allowed to participate in;

9. There must be increasing transparency and accountability in formulating and implementing health projects of central government and international health organizations;

10. Raise health expenditure from national income and foreign revenue; distribute this equitably by giving priority to marginalized people in conflict-affected regions;

11. If the central government, international organizations, or private bodies want to work in ethnic administrative areas, collaboration, and involvement of local health organizations must be obtained;

Contact persons:

1. Dr. Cynthia Maung (+66 899615054)

2. Nai Lawe Aung (+95 9255948003)

3. Saw Nay Htoo (+66 811902217)

Download this statement (PDF): English | Burmese

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