Government criticised over restructuring plan
The Myanmar government is criticised for its plan to split the Department of Health at the start of the upcoming fiscal year, sparking concerns on expenses involved.
Under the plan, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Medical Care would replace the Department of Health.
The former will be set up with more than 400 officers and more than 1,500 staff. The organisation will include one director-general, three deputy directors-general (disease control, public health, administration/finance), 15 directors, 44 deputy directors, 102 assistant directors and 249 staff officers.
The latter will have more than 300 officers and more than 1,600 staff. It will include one director-general, two deputy directors-general (medical care, administration/finance), three supervisors at central hospitals (Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay), 14 directors and 34 deputy directors.
“I have heard of the plan but the official announcement has not come out yet. If it is certain, the department structure may be changed. The plan will require more human resources. It also needs a higher budget. The department will have to spend more. Immediate appointments are not easy. This will take time. This matter should be discussed with well-experienced technicians,” said Phone Myint, the retired deputy director-general of the Department of Health Planning.
The Ministry of Health is currently comprised of seven departments – Health, Medical Research (lower Myanmar), Pharmaceutical Research (upper Myanmar), Medical Research (central Myanmar), Medical Science, Traditional Medicine and Health Planning.
Among them, the Health Department plays a major role.
Under the current government, more spending was allocated to the health sector. There is a high chance that public spending on health would be raised given the poor condition of healthcare services in the country.
“This matter is not a small one, and it should not be done hurriedly. It will take much time. Every project must have a plan. If not, it will not come true. We do something today, but we do not carry on it tomorrow. Such bad habits should be dropped,” said a retired director of the Department of Health who asked not to be named.
The restructuring of the Health Department is one of the government’s several restructuring plans to be implemented in the next fiscal year.
The Directorate of Telecommunications will also be split from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and reconstituted as the Myanmar Communication Commission.
