Hepatitis in Myanmar
Overview
Among South-East Asia Region countries, Myanmar is the first country to provide hepatitis C treatment free of charge in the public sector. Three years after the National Hepatitis Control Programme was established, the hepatitis C treatment was started in seven public hospitals since 2017. To date, 2,089 patients were reported successfully treated by the programme. A most recent review meeting, organized after one year of implementation, helps improve the programme’s effectiveness and to guide future direction.
In collaboration with the national Hepatitis control programme, Ministry of Health & Sports, WHO and partners developed operational plan for hepatitis. A key planned activity is to develop a video clip for awareness and advocacy on viral hepatitis B and C in preparation for World Hepatitis Day (28 July). Myanmar Liver Foundation and WHO joined hand in hand to support this initiative. Double Academy Winner, Actor and Director U Lu Min, also a member of the board of directors of Myanmar Liver Foundation, has agreed to script and direct production of a short video clip for television. This would be ready for World Hepatitis Day, as well as beyond, for use in the public sector as required.