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Burma Expat Health Insurance / Healthcare System News |
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Burma, aka Myanmar, is a country in the Indochina region, which has much to offer the world from the abundance of natural resources to the delights of natural beauty. You are truly stepping into the past when in Burma with no skyscrapers, fast food chains and low levels of commercialism; this may seem a paradise for many tourists.
The healthcare in Burma is tremendously underdeveloped and the Burmese people feel the brunt of the deprived medical treatment available. With the country facing high risks of serious disease such as; Hepatitis A, typhoid fever, protozoal diarrhea, dengue fever, malaria, leptospirosis and rabies. A great deal of investment and work needs to be implemented to develop the healthcare in Burma.
Burma is one of the worst countries in the world for medical care with a fairly high mortality rate; death via HIV/AIDS is an indicator that the country is not truly committed or prepared to assist the vulnerable people in the nation. There are foreign aid agencies in Burma and on the Thai-Burmese border working towards improving healthcare for the people of Burma, with a focus on avian influenza (AI), HIV/AIDS, and other infectious diseases. The aid agencies aim to prevent the outbreak of any disastrous disease such as avian influenza, the agencies try to work with the Government of Burma by developing and implementing surveillance procedures to monitor poultry before outbreaks, strengthen the laboratory response and rapid response units with the correct equipment to control the disease from spreading.
If you do seek medical treatment while in Burma, you will have access to general medical advice and treatment in the cities of Rangoon and Mandalay, however outside these two cities you are warned to be very cautious and presume the treatment is not sufficient to meet your medical needs. Paying up front with cash is a customary requirement and the process of receiving medical and dental treatment is often conducted in unsanitary conditions where you are putting yourself in risk of serious infection, which includes hepatitis B and C and HIV/AIDS.
You are advised against seeking medical treatment in Burma due to the conditions and training of medical professionals. However, if it is an emergency where you are in a stable condition the medical clinic in Yangon “International SOS Limited” has been known to employ Western trained physicians. If you need urgent care this could be the best treatment center in the country, and it is located in Yangon at the Dusit Inya Lake Resort. You will be liable for payment of treatment received.
When the Military regime first took power of Burma they abolished private health care, however, in recent years they have allowed private hospitals and clinics to be opened in the country; the reasons reported for this was for the Government to generate extra revenue and to help the poorly run state health sector. The Ministry of Health in Burma have sent out a 21 point criteria list that needs to be met before a private hospital is allowed to open. However, the standards of private hospitals are likely to be substandard compared to rival private hospitals in the region such as Thailand and Singapore, where many of the Burmese wealthy elite will travel to, in order to seek medical treatment.
Government bodies advise against seeking any form of treatment in Burma as the standards are below par and the risk of severe infection is high. This is mainly due to medical professionals being poorly educated and the poor hygiene of facilities being a breeding ground for much of the disease present in the country. As expatriate or holidaymaker visiting Burma, you are strongly recommended to obtain comprehensive insurance and medical cover prior to your trip to Burma, and ensure the policy covers all activities you wish to partake in and any eventualities, include emergency evacuation with a reputable carrier.
Natural disasters in the past in Burma have placed the healthcare sector and emergency services under great pressure, such as after Cyclone Margins which devastated the country. The Burmese regime block most attempts by aid agencies to help with medical care, this in return has led to large numbers of avoidable deaths. The spread of disease, injuries going untreated and unsafe drinking water meant the Burmese people become more vulnerable in a time of need.
There are factors that influence the low level of healthcare in Burma, this includes the population not being well educated, meaning they lack knowledge of basic medical needs, standards of hygiene and preventative measures. Also, the vast majority of the population lives in poverty and the government has been slow or unwilling to invest in the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
As a foreigner in Burma, you are responsible for any payment of medical care you receive in the country, even with the low cost of treatment the burden of any payment will come down to you. The quality of medical care in private and public facilities is dubious and many international governments warn against treatment while in Burma, with this in mind it is essential you have the correct policy in place to meet any potential needs of care you may require, which in this case may include medical treatment in a neighboring country and even the eventuality of medical evacuation from Burma. Emergency medical evacuations can be incredibly expensive, therefore it is imperative to ensure comprehensive medical cover is in place prior to your visit with a Burma international health insurance plan.
If you are looking for peace-of-mind knowing that medical costs will be covered in case of an accident or illness for yourself and your family while traveling to Burma, international health insurance plan will be the optimal solution for you. Plans can be tailored-made to give you flexibility, meet your individual needs, and may include benefits such as travel, maternity, dental and many other conditions. Should you require further information on Burma international health insurance, traveling in Burma, global medical insurance, or to receive a free consultation, please do not hesitate to call one of our expert advisers now. |
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