Representatives of nine ethnic health groups from across Myanmar recently held a three-day meeting at the Thailand-Myanmar border to discuss how to deal with challenges they face in delivering medical assistance to people in need as an increasing number of international aid groups withdraw programs from the Thailand-Myanmar border.

Health organizations from Karen, Shan, Mon, Karenni and Burmese communities—including representatives of the Mae Tao Clinic—formed a joint collective called the Ethnic Health System Strengthening Group. The organizations are all based along Thailand-Myanmar border and carry out essential medical programs in their respective conflict zones. An Ethnic Health Committee was formed at the meeting to develop health policies and information systems about the health conditions of ethnic communities.

The health organization representatives reported a lack of access to medicine and long delays in receiving aid from the organizations which continue to work in the area.

In the past, UK Aid was the main donor of medical assistance to health care organizations at the Thailand-Myanmar border. They used to support the health organizations directly, but today they operate through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), according to sources in the organizations.

Currently, health organizations operating along the border do not receive any help from the Myanmar government, and continue to rely on a diminishing number of INGOs.