Education & Health
From The Report: Myanmar 2020
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Myanmar’s education sector has undergone a significant transformation following the transition to democracy. Budget allocation for the sector has risen steadily and liberalisation has resulted in the emergence of a rapidly expanding private school segment. Nevertheless, further work is required to reform the curriculum, raise teaching standards and adopt education technology if the country’s young population is to be prepared for an international labour market characterised by innovation and rapid technological change. Health care expenditure has been rising and the government is implementing three national health plans to lead the country towards universal health care by 2030. Furthermore, private investment has become increasingly welcome and significant growth potential exists in the insurance market. Nonetheless, more systematic data collection is required to prioritise the areas where resources are most needed. Widening access to primary health care and improving the quality of services will be key to fostering sustainable economic growth. This chapter contains an interview with U Aung Chit Khin, Founder, Strategy First University.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Future focused: With an increased budget allocation and foreign investment, teaching standards are expected to improve
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Driven by increased public investment and a series of key reforms Myanmar’s education sector has undergone a significant transformation following the transition to democracy that began in 2011. The budget allocation for the sector has risen steadily to be nearly six times the amount it was in FY 2011/12, reaching MMK1.76trn ($1.15bn) in FY 2018/19. Furthermore, liberalisation has resulted in the emergence of a rapidly expanding private school sector. Nevertheless, despite the progress achieved…

Analysis

Business friendly: Reforms open the private education sector to foreign capital
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New legislation is paving the way for foreign investment in the education sector. This move is expected to support increased capital inflows and raise the standard of education through increased competition. While some challenges remain, investor appetite looks set to increase once regulations around quality assurance in the private sector are introduced. Liberalising the Sector Myanmar’s private education sector was opened up to increased foreign investment on April 20, 2018 following…

Interview

Bridging the gap: U Aung Chit Khin, Founder, Strategy First University, on growing domestic demand for private institutions
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Interview:U Aung Chit Khin How attractive is the sector for private investment? U AUNG CHIT KHIN: Private pre-tertiary schools are very attractive for investment. This segment is high up on the Myanmar Investment Commission’s list of foreign direct investment priorities. Alongside demand from expats, which is recovering after a lull, there is strong domestic demand for such institutions. While many parents believe their children are too young to be sent abroad for education prior to university…

Overview

Local care: Government initiatives and increased private sector activity support rising health outcomes
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Health care expenditure has been rising in Myanmar, and the government is implementing three national health plans (NHPs) to lead the country towards the goal of universal health care (UHC) by 2030. Furthermore, private investment has become increasingly welcome and significant growth potential exists in the insurance market. Nonetheless, the sector requires more systematic data collection to better prioritise the geographic and service areas where resources are most needed. Widening access…

Analysis

Review and renew: Plans for universal health care are in place, but significant gaps remain in coverage and finance
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In 2015 the government of Myanmar laid out the goal to provide universal health care (UHC) by 2030. The aim of UHC is to ensure that every citizen can access high-quality services without experiencing financial hardship. The World Health Organisation (WHO) uses three metrics to measure the success of UHC schemes: coverage of essential health services; protection against financial risk; and population coverage. However, a report evaluating Myanmar’s progress towards UHC – published in…

Overview

Promoting pharmaceuticals: As health care provision expands, demand for both local and imported pharmaceutical products is rising
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In recent decades the pharmaceutical market has expanded its geographical reach. This trend appears to be here to stay; in a survey of major pharmaceutical firms conducted by global consulting firm PwC’s Strategy& team, more than half of respondents anticipated that over 30% of their global sales would originate in emerging markets by 2018. Even in the most newly opened markets, drug companies have seen growth: forecasts for Myanmar, for instance, indicate that pharmaceuticals could quickly grow into a $1bn industry. As governments and companies continue to take note of this high-potential sector, both are pursuing development…

Overview

Promoting pharmaceuticals: As health care provision expands, demand for both local and imported pharmaceutical products is rising
OBG
plus

In recent decades the pharmaceutical market has expanded its geographical reach. This trend appears to be here to stay; in a survey of major pharmaceutical firms conducted by global consulting firm PwC’s Strategy& team, more than half of respondents anticipated that over 30% of their global sales would originate in emerging markets by 2018. Even in the most newly opened markets, drug companies have seen growth: forecasts for Myanmar, for instance, indicate that pharmaceuticals could quickly grow into a $1bn industry. As governments and companies continue to take note of this high-potential sector, both are pursuing development…