Myanmar

HKI has been working in Myanmar since 2000. Currently HKI-Myanmar's program is supporting eye health initiatives that are funded by the energy company Total E&P and its partners.

To achieve optimum impact, HKI is assisting the national teaching hospitals, Yangon Eye Hospital and Mandalay Eye & ENT Hospital, as well as Secondary Eye Centers in Upper Myanmar, which are part of the Trachoma Control and Prevention of Blindness (TC/PB) network. HKI-Myanmar currently supports eleven Secondary Eye Centers that are located in Sagaing, Shwee Bo, Meikhtila, Min Bu, Tawng Dwingye, Sint Gaing, Monywa, Kyakpadaung, Myingyan, Pakoku, Sintgaing, and Myaing, as well as seven general hospitals (Dawei, Sitwe, Lashio, Kyaukse, Maubin, North Oklapa, and Hinthada.)

The results of our assistance are already impressive. The number of cataract surgeries performed by the centers we are supporting has increased from 2,541 operations before the program began in 2001 to 11,526 operations in 2004. This success is even more remarkable as compared to the zero increase experienced in other parts of the country in the TC/PB system. Not only were more surgeries performed, but a larger number were done with implants, resulting in a better quality of sight. In Sagaing, for example, 97% of cataract surgeries were done with an implant in 2004, compared to 43% in 2000.

HKI-Myanmar has excellent working relations with the medical community in the country, including the Myanmar Ministry of Health. HKI's has a reputation for providing equipment and services in a timely and reliable manner, and we ensure that the equipment is used appropriately and kept in working order. Periodic site visits and monitoring and evaluation of results (conducted through our office in Jakarta, Indonesia) are essential components of our program.

Program Partners

• Total E&P and its partners
• Ministry of Health, Government of Myanmar
• Yangon Eye Hospital
• Mandalay Eye & ENT Hospital
• Kyakpadaung Secondary Eye Center
• Meikhtila Secondary Eye Center
• Min Bu Secondary Eye Center
• Monywa Secondary Eye Center
• Myaing Secondary Eye Center
• Myingyan Secondary Eye Center
• Pakoku Secondary Eye Center
• Sagaing Secondary Eye Center
• Shwee Bo Secondary Eye Center
• Sint Gaing Secondary Eye Center
• Tawng Dwingye Secondary Eye Center
• Dawei General Hospital
• Hinthada General Hospital
• Kyaukse General Hospital
• Lashio General Hospital
• Maubin General Hospital
• North Oklapa General Hospital
• Sitwe General Hospital

Key Staff

• John Palmer - Country Director, Indonesia & Program Advisor, Myanmar
• Roy Tjiong - Deputy Director, Indonesia & Program Advisor, Myanmar