Bridging the Maternal Health Gap in Myanmar

On the 10th of December 2022, THET and the Myanmar UK Health Alliance (MUKHA) hosted a Sharing and Learning Event in hopes to reflect on the years’ accomplishments and mobilise to better support healthcare workers (HCWs) in Myanmar. MUKHA was developed in 2017 with the objectives of: 1) Encouraging closer collaboration between the Myanmar Ministry of Health and Sports (MoHS) and UK stakeholders and 2) Enhancing the cooperation between the participants. With 5 thematic working groups: Medical Education, Nursing Training, Laboratory services improvement/Pathology Training, GP training, Digital Health Information System. In light of the coup in Myanmar, the team now connects UK stakeholders with members of the diaspora, and those on-the-ground, to improve and sustain key health services that may need development.

The event began with key reflections from Ben Simms, Chief Executive of THET. He expressed his solidarity with the Burmese people saying that the “most important voices today are our friends from Myanmar and those in exile”. The event was a success, with a keynote speech by The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Minister of State (Development and Africa). You can find his speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YylI6j9er6c

Myanmar has faced multiple dire humanitarian crises – approximately 4million people have been displaced, of which 1.1 million people are displaced by the coup. Attendees working in the field stressed that “Health is a fundamental human right… Health equity is affected by social determinants of health like political, economic and social situations that shape the distribution of power in these services.”

A recurring theme, throughout the day, was the difficulty of access to healthcare; especially due to the violence and threats health workers face daily. Health services are mostly impacted due to violence and/or the fear of violence. Members of the diaspora wished to highlight the difficulties health workers on-ground are currently facing. With over 700 HCWs arrested, and over 50 medical doctors and nurses killed, there is a grave risk to personal security; “being a medical doctor is a risk” said one attendee. One attendee concluded that the “front line is something we do not associate with healthcare, we associate it with conflict, but I’m sure we’re aware healthcare workers are now involved in conflict”.

THET and MUKHA’s assistance for health workers on the ground is vital to support and continue key services. Members of the diaspora have raised the following as next steps: to continue professional development, raise funding for medical supplies and expose healthcare workers to international practices.

THET would like to thank all those who spoke at and attended the event, the participants of MUKHA, and our donors for making this work possible.  It is with your generosity and determined support that THET can fund and assist HCWs on the ground and continue its mission to bring health equity to all.