The JICA-supported Community-Oriented Reproductive Health (RH) Project in the Union of Myanmar commenced 1st February 2005, and is due to run until 31st January 2010.

From 19th February to 16th March 2005, a four-member JOICFP team led by Ryoko Nishida, Director, International Program, visited Myanmar for project consultations with the Department of Health, Myanmar, and concerned parties at the central, state and township levels.

Specifically, the JOICFP team deepened counterparts' understanding of the Japanese experience in reproductive health (RH), and followed up on the observation study mission to Japan in November 2004. (see http://joicfp.or.jp/eng/e-news/2005_jan/06-Myanmar.php)

A joint meeting at Naungcho Township Hospital
attended by DOH (central level),
Lashio State Health Department (state level)
District Medical Officer
and Township Medical Officer (project sites),
and mission members (JOICFP).

In addition, the project outline was confirmed and the work plan for fiscal year 2005 finalized.

Background

Limited access to existing RH services and information means that there is a large unmet demand for RH in Myanmar. Lack of trained personnel and facilities, as well as harmful traditional RH practices exacerbate the situation.

With minimal equipment this operating theater
in Naung Pain Station Hospital,
Kyaukme serves the community

Health indicators in Myanmar show that the maternal mortality and infant mortality rates are 255 per 100,000 live births, and 60 per 1,000, respectively. Contraceptive prevalence is low at 32.85%, and only 56% of deliveries are attended by skilled personnel.

The project addresses "reproductive health with community initiatives, with special focus on safe motherhood" by promoting RH/safe motherhood activities through community initiative and empowerment. JOICFP will work to increase the use of quality RH services in Kyaukme and Naungcho Townships, Shan State. Through the implementation of the project, a model approach for community-oriented RH is expected to be developed and contribute to national-level RH programs.

Naungcho Township Hospital
is the top-referral hospital serving around 120,000 people

Five strategies

To achieve the increased utilization of services, the project adopts the following five strategies:

• Promotion of community-operated RH activities with community people's initiative
• A holistic approach to improving RH in under-served areas
• Application of best practices and approaches to other areas and programs in Myanmar
• Linkage with UN agencies for more efficient resource utilization and information sharing
• Involvement of all stakeholders from national to village levels

(from right) A midwife, her husband, Maternal
and Child Welfare Association members,
and the Chairman of the Village Peace
and Development Council. Midwives
are frontline workers providing services
to community people,
and work to link community volunteers,
local authorities and the community.

JOICFP's comparative advantage is long experience in community-operated RH, and experience in Myanmar in joint projects with UNFPA since 2000.

Within these five strategies, three major approaches will be taken to increase utilization of services:

• Improving the quality of RH services at the township level and below, with special focus on safe motherhood.
• Improving knowledge and awareness of RH among the community, especially for women of reproductive age.
• Enhancing the management and technical capacity of DOH and other related GOs and NGOs.

These three approaches and the identification of approaches applicable to other areas comprise the major output of the project.