SPHC Myanmar - Reaching more people for NCD prevention

The NCD project in Myanmar has made a big progress in developing a strategy for NCD prevention and control and has trained hundreds of health workers in providing NCD services, but more people need to start utilising the services

The NCD project in Myanmar has contributed to the STEPS survey into Non-communicable diseases and has developed a strategy for NCD prevention and control. Staff from University of Public Health, University of Medicine 1 and HelpAge have trained hundreds of health workers in providing NCD services. In nearly all the states and regions trained health workers have started NCD clinics.

However an analysis of utilisation of services has disclosed that only 15% of the people who need screening for diabetes or hypertension in Myanmar have actually come to a clinic.  Also the level of knowledge on healthy lifestyles, good nutrition and physical activities is low. Therefore, the NCD project team has developed posters and flyers for more publicity that will be distributed via the Ministry of Health and Sports to many health facilities.

The project will also approach community groups directly with information and ensure their participation in  screening and promotion of health lifestyles.

Government has made it one of the health priorities to strengthen prevention of NCDs and wants to increase the attention for the determinants of health. It wants to launch a campaign with the new information material to bring health living under the attention of the population. If – in addition – primary health care clinics can detect people at risk in an early stage, morbidity and mortality of NCDs can be brought down in Myanmar.