Situations and Problems of Healthcare in Myanmar

Myanmar is situated in the western part of southeast Asia. It is one of the least developed countries (LDC) such as Cambodia and Laos. The condition of healthcare in east and southeast Asia is almost the same or slightly better than that in other LDC, but much worse than that in Japan and developing countries in southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam etc). We compared the data of WHO, UNICEF, UN statistic division and reports from Ministry of Health in Myanmar to examine situations and problems of healthcare in Myanmar. Life expectancy at births of male/female in 2000 was 54.6/59.9 (average: 57.3). Mortality rate per 1,000 live birth of children under five years old was 110 and maternal mortality ratio per 100,000 live births was 170. These data above mentioned on the situations of healthcare in Myanmar indicate that Myanmar is situated between developing countries and LDC. In Myanmar and other LDC, infectious diseases are the main cause of poor healthcare. Malaria is the most important disease in mortality and morbidity. Common problems in healthcare between Myanmar and Japan are tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS. Mixed infection of HIV and TB has been more and more serious. Healthcare in reproductive age is also insufficient in Myanmar and other LDC. Effective and continuous support from advanced countries including Japan is required to improve the healthcare in Myanmar