When envisioning a nation of healthy citizens in Burma, the social determinants of health need to be addressed and need to feel empowered to address their health needs, by improving living communities conditions such as ending conflict, removing land mines, having access to land, work place sa safe water, safe housing, ising risks and improving access to education, healt legal and social financial services.
At the same time essential health services are not a privilege, but a basic need. People need to know how protect themselves and to promote their own healthy communities. The current proposal for universal Health coverage is not sustainable and does not empower communities. Tax reform may be the first step in revenue generation for building a health system, however, working with communities to empower them to engage with the issues that affect them is a step that must be made at the same time.
In the absence of government health services, and in a context where international aid agencies were denied humanitarian access, indigenous health workers in ethnic minority areas have mobilised to provide life saving care to their communities. With the changing political situation and fledging peace in Burma, these health workers now face new opportunities and challenges. Health has the potential to play a key role as a bridge to peace in Burma.