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The collaborative activities of the World Health
Organization (WHO) in the South-East Asia Region are designed to improve the
health status of the population of Member countries. Although WHO already has
been playing a significant role in the strengthening of health policies and programmes in the Region, Country Cooperation Strategies
(CCSs) are meant to identify how the Organization
can further support countries in improving health development.
The South-East Asia Region was one of the first WHO
regions to develop CCSs and the first region to
develop a CCS for each of its Member countries. Working with Headquarters,
the Region has improved the quality of the CCSs to
make them more strategic and to provide a sharper focus for WHO’s work. This involves closer participation of the
Ministry of Health, other relevant ministries and key development partners in
drafting the CCS, ensuring that their inputs are a key consideration in
developing WHO’s strategic agenda in the country.
All 11 Member countries the Region have prepared a CCS
during the past six years. In the case of Myanmar, the previous CCS was
developed in 2000 and implemented during 2002-2005. It has provided
guidelines for the WHO Country Office to plan and coordinate its work
effectively with national and international counterparts for health
development in Myanmar.
Since then, the country has experienced many emerging changes in its health
situation. The government has invested efforts in strengthening health care
facilities in the country, while key partners have also made significant
contributions within the framework of national health development.
Analyses of the current health situation and the likely
scenario over the next four years have together formed the basis of the
priorities outlined in this CCS. The inputs and suggestions from the Ministry
of Health, whose officials have been the major collaborators in developing
the document, are appreciated. In addition, the advice and recommendations of
the health development partners in Myanmar were invaluable in
guiding the development of the CCS. This consultative process will help
ensure that WHO inputs provide the maximum support to health development
efforts in the country.
We recognize that a strong and capable WHO country office
is a key to successfully achieving the strategic agenda of the CCS.
Therefore, we will continue to strengthen the Country Office in Myanmar over
the CCS period (2008-2011). The staff of the WHO Regional Office for
South-East Asia will use this CCS to determine regional priorities and
support collaborative activities in Myanmar. Furthermore, we will
also seek assistance as necessary from WHO Headquarters in order to bolster
these efforts.
Finally, I would like to thank all those who were involved
in developing this CCS for Myanmar.
We expect that the work of WHO, along with the Ministry of Health, other
relevant ministries and our development partners will lead to further
improvements in the health of the people of Myanmar.
Samlee Plianbangchang, M.D., Dr.P.H.
Regional Director
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