Behaviour change training conducted by 3MDG helps community-based organisations improve health knowledge and health-seeking behaviour.

The two-day training workshop was held at the 3MDG Office in Yangon, and was attended by community-based organisations which make up the Collective Voices programme.

The aim of the workshop was to help 3MDG partners improve health knowledge and health-seeking behaviour at the individual and community level. This is critical for people to enjoy the best health possible and is part of 3MDG’s commitment to improving access to health services amongst the poor, vulnerable and marginalised.

Attendees at the workshop had the opportunity to learn more about how behaviours can change and gave them more information about tools and methods which can facilitate change.

The workshop was facilitated by Ms Kelly Macdonald, who is a behaviour change communication expert. It was attended by 37 staff from civil society and community-based organisations. They are working directly with the communities in Chin, Mon, Delta, and Magway.  An action plan was developed by the partners during the workshop.

A recent meeting held in Nay Pyi Taw aimed to provide updates on the project to strengthen the management of human resources for health (HRH), review global and regional policies and strategies, and identify potential solutions that can be incorporated into the upcoming HRH strategic plan.

The workshop was called the ‘Global Human Resources for Health Policy Review Workshop and Key Stakeholders Meeting on HRH Management’ and was held on 5th May 2017. During her opening remarks, Dr Tin Tin Lay, Director General, Department of Human Resources for Health said at the event:

Human resources have been identified as one of the main priorities to promote quality and accessibility of health service and to reach Myanmar’s goal of universal health coverage by 2030.  Challenges include shortages of qualified staff; inappropriate balance and mix of skills; inequitable distribution of staff; difficulties in rural deployment and retention; and lack of appropriate incentives and motivation. As of 2015, Myanmar density of health skill workforce was 1.48 per 1,000 population which is significantly lower than the WHO-recommended threshold of 2.2.

The human resource management strengthening project that aims to address some of these issues is being implemented by Jhpiego with funding from the Three Millennium Development Goal Fund (3MDG).

SITTWE, Myanmar (March 10 2017) – Access to quality health services throughout Rakhine State is to be improved with the support of an initiative focused on health system strengthening and maternal, newborn and child health.

The three million US dollar programme was launched today by the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Three Millennium Development Goal Fund (3MDG) at Sittwe Town Hall.

 The programme will strengthen the health system by providing technical assistance to the State Health Department and Township authorities to improve planning and coordination of health services and to build capacity in financial management, supply-chain and human resources for health.

It will also improve maternal, newborn and child health services in nine townships.  Townships were chosen by the State Health Department, based on need.

Barriers to health access will be reduced through outreach services, training and supplies for village volunteers. Life-saving emergency referrals for children and pregnant women that ensure they can get to hospital when they need to are also being supported.

The programme is financed by the 3MDG, which is funded by Australia, Denmark, the European Union, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The programme launch was attended by the Rakhine State Health Director, Dr. Thaung Hlaing, Head of the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) Mr. Gavin McGillivray; 3MDG Fund Director, Mr. Oren Ginzburg; government and Ministry of Health and Sports officials, representatives from partners and members of the public.

Rakhine State Health Director, Dr. Thaung Hlaing, speaking at the event.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Thaung Hlaing noted that the programme complemented the Social and Economic Development Plan (SEDP) for the State.

“The SEDP is critical for the development of Rakhine State, and this programme fits into the objectives of that plan. It promotes equity in access to health services and helps us drive forward with the right skills and data to support the people of this state.”

This new programme also supports Myanmar’s drive towards universal health coverage, which the Government has commitment to reach by 2030. 3MDG will support this commitment - that all people can access the health services they need, without suffering from undue financial burden when paying for it - through funds, expertise, and technical assistance. 

Mr. Gavin McGillivray, Head of DFID, said: “I look forward to hearing reports of more mothers giving birth in safe circumstances, with a skilled birth attendant; to more children getting to the hospital when they are sick.”

The programme builds on 3MDG’s existing support to Rakhine State, which includes strengthening midwifery services through support to the midwifery school in Sittwe; TB active case finding through mobile team activities; and malaria testing and treatment programmes.

The Union Minister for Health and Sports, His Excellency Dr. Myint Htwe gave the opening remarks at the Myanmar Health Research Congress that began on Monday 9th January at the Department of Medical Research in Yangon.

At the event, academics and students from across Myanmar, and some from overseas, are sharing their research into health issues which affect the country. More than 100 papers will be presented on a wide variety of topics -- from the alcohol consumption of youths in Twantay Township to the lived experiences of senior citizens in Yangon.

Papers address common research topics, such as childhood illness, malaria, HIV, reproductive health and tuberculosis, as well as areas that have thus far been under-researched, including post-abortion care and how social norms limit health services for rape survivors. Researchers also looked at wider health system issues, for example the role of auxiliary midwives in Myanmar or understanding public health in Rakhine State.

There is also a poster competition during the week-long congress, with one winner to be chosen from more than 50 posters entered. With support from 3MDG and the International Organization for Migration, the team from the Department of Medical Research (Ministry of Health and Sports) entered a poster, “What does not work and why?”, which looked at the role of volunteer health workers, and the challenges and ways forward for further engaging them in the health system.

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_{What does not work and why?: Challenges and possible ways for engaging voluntary health workers into health care systems in Myanmar. Saw Saw, Wai Wai Han, Nyi Nyi Zayar, Lin Yadanar Ko, Pyae Sone Thar, Aye Thida, Myo Myo Mon and Theingi Myint}

Other posters addressed risk factors for non-communicable diseases in military personnel, knowledge gaps for health seeking behavior for maternal health in remote areas and Hepatitis B infection among people living with HIV, among many others.

The winning poster and six awards for best papers and best young researcher will be announced on Friday 13^th January, at the close of the congress.

Find the agenda, with full list of papers and posters here.