THE Ministry of Health and Sports held a meeting on implementation and evaluation of the National Health Plan (2017-2021) via videoconferencing yesterday.

During the meeting, Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe discussed the activities of low and middle-income countries to access Universal Health Coverage, efforts of the ministry by cooperating with other relevant ministries, UN organizations and NGOs, drafting of National Health Plan (2017-2021) in 2016 based on the public health infrastructure, human resources, budgets for health sectors, the health status of public, the ability of healthcare service system and economic status of the country, implementation of three five-year NHP to meet the goals of Universal Health Coverage to some extent in 2030, acceleration of public health services for the people to achieve Healthy Lifestyle by doing exercises in line with the saying like Exercises is Medicine and Basic Essential Package of Health Services.

He also highlighted the current processes of NHP (2017- 2021), ability to overcome the difficulties, opinions depending on sector-wise impacts, review of indicator/parameter, completion of 80 per cent for drafting new National Health Policy, drafting of NHP (2021-2025) based on that policy, more than 40 health programmes of ministry, the participation of NGOs, civil society organizations, Ethnic Health Organizations and the public, 76 per cent of out of pocket expenditure between 2016 and 2018, the emergence of National Health Insurance system for financial protection as part of Universal Health Coverage while the government boosts health budget and some impacts on health sector during COVID-19 pandemic and further efforts of the ministry not to occur medical neglects in more than 40 health projects of the ministry.

Then, Assistant Secretary for National Health Plan Implementation Monitoring Unit Dr Thant Sin Htoo briefed the healthcare services under NHP (2017-2021), the double increase of healthcare services in 2020 compared with 2000 according to the initial survey, supply-side readiness for UHC, Inclusive township health plan, National Health Account (2016-2018), strategic purchasing for healthcare services and details of further plans including initial surveys. Then, the other health officials coordinated the meeting while Deputy Minister Dr Mya Lay Sein discussed the cooperation for the emergence of firm National Health Insurance Law and the Permanent Secretary Prof Dr Thet Khaing Win about the curriculums of UHC at undergraduate and postgraduate courses of the universities.

The Union Minister appreciated participants for the meeting and called on further People Health Assembly, suggestions of INGOs and NGOs in conducting measures for non-communicable diseases and concluded the meeting.—MNA

Photo –MNA

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar