Child and maternal mortality rates in Myanmar are high, with an under-five mortality rate of 51 per 1000 live births (2016) versus 3 per 1000 live births in Japan. Moreover, the healthcare disparities between rural and urban areas are pronounced, and the under-five mortality rate in rural areas has been reported to be approximately twice as high as that in urban areas.

In Nyaung-U District in the Mandalay Region, where the project is operating, most health institutions and health workers concentrate in urban areas, and very limited health services are provided by village-level health centers. In addition, the lack of information and awareness among community residents regarding diseases, treatment, and health services, and their inability to visit distant hospitals for financial reasons, makes it difficult for individuals to access healthcare services.

Against such a background, we have initiated the following activities in this district with the aim of providing health and medical services and enlightening the residents on diseases and medical care:

• Mobile healthcare services with vehicles
• Capacity building for healthcare workers and community health volunteers
• Capacity building and awareness-raising activities for the local residents

Through these activities, we work on improving access to healthcare.