SPHC Myanmar - Screening for NCDs in Communities

The Myanmar NCD research project helped the government to develop a Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) strategy, training materials, and to train health workers in the diagnosis and treatment of NCDs. Nationally, health workers were trained to include NCD services in the package of care. Initial evaluation of the project showed that the demand for services increased; however, there is still a need to improve in order to achieve UHC. Therefore, in addition to engaging with the health sector, the project is now reaching out to community groups, such as Inclusive Self-Help Groups (ISHGs). Known as lu hmu ar man, or "social strength," in the local language, these groups are active in cultural, social and economic activities.

The project helps communities to help themselves through community-based health screening teams. These teams travel house-to-house assessing everyone aged 40 and over and educating them on the prevention and management of NCDs. The self-help groups select willing and enthusiastic members of all ages to undertake a three-day training course. The training covers the basics of NCDs, how they are affected by lifestyle choices, and what can be done to prevent and treat them. The volunteers learn how to measure someone's height and weight to calculate their body mass index, how to take a pin-prick blood sample to test blood sugar levels, how to determine blood pressure, and how to look for suspected signs of oral cancer, which is common in Myanmar due to the prevalence of tobacco and betel nut chewing.

The volunteers record the information digitally through an easy-to-use mobile app, and refer those they are screening to health centres if they find evidence of potential hypertension, diabetes, or oral cancer. The screening started in seven communities, as a pilot. Of the 7500 people screened so far, 800 had hypertension, 600 had abnormal blood glucose levels, and 40 had mouth lesions, which may be a result of cancer; all were referred to appropriate health facilities. Screening teams will make follow-ups to see if referred patients have visited health facilities, and to continue providing lifestyle advice. The teams, furthermore, are able to monitor the health status of their own communities.

This approach utilizing participatory research with communities empowers groups to provide and undertake screening and health education initiatives, and strengthens the NCD programme in the country by improving the detection rate of cases that require medical treatment.

Myanmar NCD transition project is a project of University of Public Health, Myanmar, HelpAge International, University of Medicine 2 (UM2), Thamassat University Faculty of Public Health, Thailand