VOA Health Report Examines Health Needs In Burma Amid Recent Political Changes

This VOA Special English Health Report examines health needs in Burma, where “[h]ealth workers are warning about the spread of a form of drug-resistant malaria.” The report discusses recent political changes in the country, stating, “In the past year, Burma has opened its political system and reached cease-fire agreements with some ethnic militias,” but “many aid groups say their jobs have not gotten any easier.” The report states, “Until 2009, just three international non-governmental aid organizations had the required approvals to operate inside Burma,” but “[m]any were able to get a memorandum of understanding that allowed them to work without an official registration.”

But because of the recent political changes, “[h]eads of aid organizations say lower-level officials are now unclear about their powers and responsibilities,” the report notes, adding, “Still, aid groups warn that some issues — such as the drug-resistant malaria — may only get worse unless the government also takes action quickly.” The report quotes Frank Smithuis, founder of a group called Medical Action Myanmar, and Kelland Stevenson of Save the Children (4/10).

The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.

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