NGOs in Myanmar
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)
1. MSF is an international, non-profit, non-religious and non-political, medical relief organization.
2. In 1993, MSF started a programme to support health services in close cooperation with the Department of Health in 2 townships in Yangon Division. The activities include:
a. Provision of essential drugs: 9,200 hospitalized patients and 115,000 outpatients have been treated with drugs mainly provided by the programme in 1996.
b. Therapeutic feeding centers: 350 severe malnourished children have received therapeutic feeding and treatment in 1996.
c. Reproductive health services: including ante-natal and post-natal care, birth control and prevention and treatment of STDs.
d. Health education on topics like nutrition, sanitation, birth control and control of infectious diseases including STDs.
e. Water and sanitation: 2,700 latrines have been constructed in 1996.
3. In 1994, a malarial control programme was started in 9 townships in Rakhine and Chin States in close cooperation with the Vector Borne Disease Control.
Medecins du Monde (MdM)
1. MdM started work in Myanmar in 1991 through the implementation of a surgery training programme in several hospitals of the country in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and its Department.
2. MdM launched a mobile AIDS prevention project in Myanmar, focusing on Training of Trainers programme implemented in 6 main Drug Treatment Centers of Yangon and Mandalay, Taunggyi, Lashio, Kyaing Tong (Shan State) and Myitkyina (Kachin State).
3. Current objectives:
a. To increase the awareness and knowledge concerning HIV/AIDS and STDs among health workers.
b. Ensure the dissemination of information about HIV/STDs transmissions and about AIDS prevention and to prmote a change in the risk behaviors associated to HIV/STDs contamination for the general population.
4. In order to ensure the dissemination of proper information, MdM produces educational material adapted to the needs of each specific target group:
a. AIDS prevention kit for trainers.
b. AIDS prevention kits for peer educators.
c. Myanmar translation of Prof. Luc Montaigner's manual on HIV/AIDS (AIDS: facts and hopes).
Myanmar Health Assistant Association (MHAA)
1. Objectives:
a. To promote friendliness among Health Assistants.
b. To provide effective coordination in healthcare work.
c. To promote development of knowledge and skills of Health Assistants.
d. To provide assistance in the social welfare of its members.
2. The organization has 49 district branches in the 14 States and Divisions of the whole country with a total of 1,450 members.
3. Activities:
a. Implementation of Programme on Community-based Health Promotion in Prevention and Control of AIDS.
b. Taking responsibility as member of the Central Level Working Committee for Health Projects under the National Health Plan.
c. Conducting Continuing Education workshops at the end of the seminar for the representatives attending the seminar.
d. Taking responsibility for providing health care services in the rural areas by members of the Association.
Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (MMCWA)
1. MMCWA is a voluntary organization dedicated to serving the Myanmar Society in promoting the health and well-being of mothers and children with the aim of improving the quality of life of people.
2. The total number of members as of December 1996 is over 100,000.
3. The number of township and branch associations throughout Myanmar are 311 township associations, 2,171 branch associations in wards, village tracts and factories, etc.
4. Health:
a. Maternal Child Health activities and services at MCWA Maternity Homes and out-patient clinics.
b. Birth Spacing activities: health education, counseling and service delivery at MCWA outpatient clinics and Maternity homes.
c. Promotion of breastfeeding activities: health education and formation of support groups.
d. Nutrition programmes for mothers and children: health education weight monitoring and supplementary lunch programmes.
e. Immunization programmes for mothers and children.