YANGON-----The Ministry of Health and Sports (MOHS) signed 3 MoUs with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to carry out healthcare services in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan States.

The ICRC will spend its budget of US$ 57 million for 3 MoUs in this fiscal year.

The Union Minister for Health and Sports met with the ICRC’s resident representative in October. On the occasion, the ICRC’s resident representative said that the ICRC already signed the contract aiming to carry out maternal and child healthcare services and to provide aids for hospitals and health departments. 

Moreover, the ICRC temporarily postponed its services in Rakhine State due to COVID-19 outbreak and security issues. But, ICRC is striving to carry out important services such as transport and referral of emergency patients to the relevant hospitals. And then, ICRC provided cash and technical assistance to the Myanmar Red Cross Association and cooperated with each other.

The ICRC’ resident representative discussed cooperation works with Sittway General Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation process for the injured people in Rakhine State, plans to resume their operations which are halted due to COVID-19 outbreak in Shan State, 3 MoUs between MOHS and ICRC to improve healthcare services in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan States, utilization of ICRC’s 2021 budget for Myanmar in conducting such work programs.

The Health Minister also briefed the work programs of his Ministry which are being carried out in Rakhine State, practical cooperation with ICRC to increase the awareness of international countries , formation of focal team to monitor and supervise the cooperation works between health ministry and ICRC, importance of healthcare services without any discrimination on gender and religions.