The diverse geography of Myanmar means that its health system has to ensure that its ethnic people in remote and hard-to-reach areas have access to quality basic healthcare services.

Under the guidance of the national programmes/MOHS, UNOPS organized financial management training for ethnic health organizations (EHO) to support their public health activities.

Around 70 participants from local EHO were trained on planning, budgeting and principles of Managed Cash Flow (MCF) in three trainings: for the Karen Department of Health and Welfare in Khong Don Yong, Hpa-An (24–25 July); Pangsang (Northern Shan State), Wa Special Region-2 (9–11 August); and Mongla (Eastern Shan State), Wa Special Region-4 (12–14 September). Officials from the central NTP and NMCP, public health officers from MOHS, UNOPS and focal persons from EHO participated in and facilitated the trainings.

From these trainings, local ethnic health staff gained knowledge and skills in quarterly workplan development and management, reporting and supervision of implementation. They received orientation on how funds are channelled, accessed and accounted for based on agreed principles and processes defined in the MCF SOPs.