16 July 2010 - A scoping study on future options for funding health in Myanmar was commissioned by the Three Diseases Fund (3DF) donors in March 2010. The scoping study recommended the following:

(i) There is value in continuing to provide joint bilateral support to address the basic health needs of the most vulnerable population of Myanmar, and
(ii) The next phase of the support should have a broader scope and address the three health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

These recommendations are based on the analysis of several factors, including the current understanding of the burden of diseases in Myanmar, the existing health system and financing, as well as the experience of 3DF. Taking account of the changing environment in the health sector, the study has also been guided by principles of best practice in public health policy and primary health care, the framework of international commitments to the MDGs and the rights-based approach to health.

The scoping study recommends that future funding address MDG 4: Reduce child mortality and MDG 5: Improve maternal health. The burden of disease analysis shows that mother and child health deserves urgent attention. Future funding should address these needs by increasing availability and accessibility of a minimum essential health service package, with a focus on maternal and child health.

For vulnerable populations or areas which could not be readily supported through Global Fund grants, future funding should also continue to address MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. The aim will be to ensure that 3DF support for the three diseases is complementary to the Global Fund. 

Donors have agreed that the recommendation to expand the scope of 3DF to cover maternal and child health has merit. The remainder of 2010 will be devoted to detailed design of the new Fund, including a preparation mission in the last quarter of 2010, and an appraisal planned for the first quarter of 2011. The design process will allow the next programme to start operations by early 2012 at the latest, dovetailing with the 3DF that will complete its operations December 2011.