MOU to improve health services in Myanmar

Health services and health education in Myanmar are set to benefit significantly from a new collaborative partnership between Burnet Institute and Deakin University.

A historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed today between Deakin and Burnet, creates opportunities to undertake joint research, education, professional training and program design.

The MOU provides for Deakin and Burnet to engage with Australian and international agencies through joint applications for research and program funding, with a special focus on health economics and health literacy.

The Deakin-Burnet Myanmar Public Health Partnership (MPHP) blueprint is outlined in the MOU. It aims to improve planning and delivery of health services in Myanmar through the provision of high-quality research and training projects.

It is expected the MPHP will include the appointment of an in-country liaison manager to support the development of a joint health research and education program.

The initiative also provides for the establishment of postgraduate scholarships to enable qualified students from Myanmar to undertake doctoral programs at Deakin.

Burnet Director and CEO Professor Brendan Crabb AC said he regards health research and education in Myanmar as the ideal starting point for further developing the partnership.

“Burnet and Deakin enjoy a long-standing and close working relationship, and we welcome the opportunity to formalise our partnership to create significant opportunities to work together across research and public health initiatives,” Professor Crabb said.

“We will explore opportunities to establish a range of collaborative research activities to support the next generation of global leaders in health.

“Burnet has been actively involved in health programs in Myanmar for more than a decade, and the MPHP will ensure that we continue to make a positive impact.”

Deakin Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health), Professor Brendan Crotty, said the MPHP was an excellent opportunity to draw on the strengths of the two organisations to improve health systems and health education in Myanmar.

“This partnership is built on a common priority to improve the health of vulnerable communities,” Professor Crotty said.

“With Burnet’s long-standing experience in providing health programs in Myanmar and Deakin’s strengths in health economics and health systems, we are well placed to help strengthen the in-country health and education capacity of Myanmar.”

The Deakin-Burnet MOU is for three years initially, with the option to extend for a further three years.

Through its Faculty of Health, Deakin University has expertise in health education and research, and health service evaluation.

Burnet Institute is a not-for-profit independent medical research and public health organisation that seeks to achieve better health for poor and vulnerable communities in Australia and internationally through research, education and public health.