Completion of RHCs Renovation in Myanmar

In January 2007, the renovation of 12 rural health centers (RHCs) in four townships of Magwe Division, Myanmar, was completed with the support of Grant Aid for Japanese NGOs by the Government of Japan.

Officially launched in August 2005, the project faced delays due to bad weather and shortages of building materials in the remote townships.

The RHC in Kangyi Township before renovation…

…and after

However, with a modest budget of approximately US$80,000, the 12 RHCs have been successfully rebuilt or renovated, and already progress is being seen as the number of outpatients, including those for antenatal care and delivery is increasing there.

The Myanmar Minister of Health, Dr. Kyaw Myint visited two RHCs in Chauk Township and expressed his satisfaction with the results. He appointed Magwe Division as one of the top priority areas for the ministry, and expressed his desire for the renovated RHCs to become models for the country.

The Japanese Embassy, which supervised the project, was also was happy with the results. They especially recognized that without JOICFP managing the project, the renovation of 12 RHCs under one project would be impossible and appreciated the roles that the Japanese NGO played in the project.

Furthermore, JOICFP was requested to execute another project like this in the future.

The RHCs themselves have asked JOICFP for further assistance, based on JOICFP’s experience.

Twin Latt RHC was transformed from this

... to this

JOICFP’s experience in listening to and motivating community people, especially toward self-sustainability, assisted in the project.

The village authorities and the Village Health Committee together with the RHC staff are responsible for the maintenance of the renovated buildings. Some of them have even made further improvements on the buildings, such as building partitions to make a delivery room and the installment of electric wiring to secure electricity in the buildings.

The staff of the 12 renovated RHCs have been highly motivated to improve their health services toward more user-friendly ones in order to attract more people to take advantage of the RHCs.

They told JOICFP about their plans to strengthen continual training for health staff, and to set up revolving funds for sustainable provision of medicines at affordable prices. Revolving funds have already been functioning at some RHCs.

With experience in Myanmar under the UNFPA Country Program, JOICFP was able to successfully manage

• The funds
• Schedule and monitoring
• Link the project with the UNFPA Program.

The members of Community Support Groups and Youth Information Corners, who are volunteers trained under the JOICFP-executed component project of the UNFPA Program, are working with some RHCs to encourage people to avail themselves of the services offered at the renovated centers.

Under the UNFPA Program, JOICFP also liaised this project with another component of commodities supply so as to bring in necessary equipment to the renovated RHCs, such as RHC kits and delivery beds.

Happy community people outside a renovated center