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Myanmar Private Sector Take Action Against Malaria in Yangon

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Myanmar
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RBM Partnership to End Malaria
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25 November – Yangon, Myanmar – The first-ever Myanmar Malaria Forum to engage the corporate sector was held today at the UMFCCI Conference Hall in Yangon. Two-thirds of the more than 130 participants represented the private sector to discuss actionable steps to assist in reducing and treating malaria infections, with a focus on addressing emerging cases of malaria infections resistant to treatment. Myanmar carries one of the highest burdens of the disease in the Asia-Pacific region, with approximately 400,000 cases of malaria reported each year, and more than half of the population at risk of infection.

“We…recognize that malaria is not only a health issue, but also an issue that affects our most productive workforce and economic development of our country,” said U Win Aung, President of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) during the Forum’s opening plenary session. ” The private sector is a key partner to play an important role in delivering services to its workforce. This meeting is an opportunity to understand better how we can collectively work together to support this important initiative.”

There is a strong business case for the private sector to invest in malaria, including: maintaining a healthy workforce; improved access to markets; strengthened relationships with government decision-makers; support for long-term economic growth of new markets; expansion of distribution channels; and development of stable and positive business conditions.

Supported by the Ministry of Health and Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM), the Forum was organized by the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), in association with the Myanmar Health and Development Consortium (MHDC) and Myanmar Business Coalition on AID (MBCA), to engage large private employers in efforts to control resistance to the most effective antimalarial medicine on the market – Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) – which has been identified in the country. “Now that Myanmar is increasingly open for business, it is important that the private sector protect their labor force and their surrounding communities from malaria. It will not only save lives, it is also a good investment, as the 400,000 annual cases of malaria have a direct impact on the nation’s productivity,” said Mr. Herve Verhoosel, Representative of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership to the United Nations (New York). “Myanmar must hold all sectors accountable, including the private sector, to ensure that artemisinin resistance is contained, in accordance with WHO guidelines.

The Asia-Pacific region continues to carry the second largest burden of malaria globally – behind Africa – with 20 malaria-endemic countries accounting for approximately 30 million cases and 42,000 deaths in 2010. The fight against malaria has forged one of the most effective global health initiatives, but the emergence of resistance to ACTs in areas of the Greater Mekong sub-Region threatens global progress. If artemisinin resistance spreads to other regions, the public health consequences could be dire.

Participants of the Forum, which also include representatives from NGOs, and bilateral and multilateral organizations, will meet tomorrow for the second and final day to identify a way to support the Myanmar Artemisinin Resistance Containment strategy (MARC) – which is based on the World Health Organization’s global Emergency Response to Artemisinin Resistance (ERAR).

Robert Valadéz, MSW
Roll Back Malaria Partnership (Secretariat)
External Relations Team
Office at the United Nations, New York
rvaladez@rbmny.org