Myanmar's UHC push dampened by severe underfunding

There is currently less than one bed available for 1,000 patients in the country.

Myanmar’s plans for universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030 demonstrates potential to reshape the country’s healthcare sector, although severe underfunding may offset the country’s UHC push, said a report by Fitch Solutions.

Myanmar reaffirmed its commitment for universal healthcare upon the announcement of the National Health Plan (NHP) in 2017. NHP’s objective is to increase financial protection as well as extend access to a basic health services package to the entire population.

However, amidst the NHP, severe underfunding is forecast to undermine progress towards universal healthcare. Fitch notes that a number of long-standing issues that have marred the sector such as inadequate equipment and medical staff shortages will remain in place.

There is currently less than one bed available for 1,000 patients in Myanmar, while the ratio of doctors to nurses is 1:1 compared to 1:3 in neighbouring frontier markets, according to data by the Myanmar Private Hospitals Association.

Fitch also notes that poor public healthcare infrastructure will likely limit the uptake of medicines and will similarly challenge pharmaceutical companies' revenue-earning potential, noted Fitch.