Health & Education

Over the last few years, gradual progress has been made in the overhaul of Myanmar’s medical framework, and for the first time many rural communities are benefiting from the expansion of the nation’s health care budget. The government is focusing on health care development in an effort to reach the ambitious national goal of achieving universal health coverage by 2030. As the country’s health system matures, the sector promises to be one of Myanmar’s most dynamic over the next few years. The education budget has also increased significantly and will continue to do so under the new government. The National League for Democracy is seeking to address a number of issues, including ethnic discrimination, overcrowding and a lack of qualified teachers. In the long term, the education system looks set to gain significant momentum, particularly under a government that is determined to increase the amount of graduates and improve the quality of degrees. This chapter contains interviews with Dr Gershu Paul, CEO, Pun Hlaing Hospital; and Sardar Umar Alam, Head of UNESCO, Yangon Office.