The first paper in the series is 'Examining the evidence base for community-based health programmes and cadres within the health system: implications for the 3MDG Fund transition in Delta and Magway townships, and wider programme.'
Q: Why is the review paper important?
The paper reviews the value of community based health care interventions and programmes, both globally and in Myanmar. It also provides key lessons learned from the review that would be critical to consider for the scaling-up of interventions and community based health care programmes nationally.
Since becoming a signatory to the Alma Ata declaration on primary health care, Myanmar has committed to training and deploying community based health volunteers in public health and disease control programmes. However, there are gaps about how these volunteers could be integrated into a successful programme that provides the appropriate support needed in terms of policies and strategies around remuneration, supervision, and supply among others.
Q: What is the paper about?
Fiona Campbell looks at issues that Myanmar should consider in order to transform this commitment into an effective programme that is integrated into the public health system. It considers questions at the policy, strategy and the implementation levels that would need to be addressed in order to institutionalize this programme with the full range of supportive measures. The paper also looks at potential learning from 3MDG-supported programming.
Q: Based on the evidence presented in the paper, what are the next steps?
The review paper outlines concrete steps and issues that need to be addressed in order to institutionalize a successful community based health care programme. This can form the basis for dialogue with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders for future planning and programming.
