Myanmar spend US$12 per annual for health expenses says Health Minister

Myanmar spend US$12 per annual for health expenses says Health Minister

Published on Sunday, 14 July 2013 23:32

Myanmar, one of the lowest ranking in terms of medical expenses, spends US$14 per annual for one person, said Union Health Minister Professor Dr. Pe Thet Khin.

Speaking at the Union Assembly on July 10, the union minister said according to World Health Organization (WHO), the world lowest medical expenses spent countries use US$12 per annual for one person but Myanmar spends US$14.

The ministry of health spent more than 499 billion kyats between 2010-2011 and 2013-2014 fiscal years. The minister answered the question of a MP about how the ministry is dealt with the problem of not having enough medicines in hospitals and clinics, the problem of not having enough medical equipment, the problem of not having enough number of doctors in hospitals and clinics and what kind of level the ministry can improve after using the budget.

Although the government increased their spending on health sector in rural areas, the rural dwellers which are 70 per cent of total population are actually facing with not having the basic need of medicines, not having enough doctors in district hospitals and still costing child birthing expenses. Those conditions are not like what the minister said, the MPs pointed out.

Moreover the MPs asked about why the construction of basic infrastructures in health care sector is delayed even though the government has provided enough budgets and the permission to construct.

The ministry only has more budgets in this year and start spends in this year so the improvement is not easy to say yet. The ministry cannot say whether the situation is improve or not and need to be patience, the minister answered.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/myanmar-spend-us12-per-annual-for-health-expenses-says-health-minister/