Access to Health Fund in Myanmar

The Access to Health Fund (A2H) is a multi-donor program managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The Fund contributes to increasing access to better and more relevant health services for vulnerable populations strengthening health systems and increasing social cohesion in conflict-affected areas in Myanmar through a gender-sensitive and rights-based approach. Canada’s contribution to the Fund strengthens its focus on gender equality especially as it relates to sexual health and reproductive rights with a strong emphasis on supporting local voices and partners including women-led and women’s rights organizations. Project activities include: (1) providing family planning and uptake of contraceptives; (2) providing post-abortion care; (3) providing cervical cancer screening and treatment; (4) establishing gender based violence (GBV) prevention activities and referral for GBV survivors; (5) developing awareness-raising and comprehensive sexuality education for adolescents young people and people over 25; and (6) awarding maternal newborn and child health services within integrated grants including ante- and post-natal care skilled birth attendance nutrition and health education. Activities focus on conflict-affected areas in the prioritized states for the Fund which are Kachin Kayah Kayin Mon Rakhine Shan and Yangon due to high unmet need.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) tackled the root causes of inequality through the promotion of rights advocacy and empowerment; (2) increased the inclusions of LGBTQIA+ in sexual and reproductive health rights programming; (3) improved sexual and reproductive health and rights education and support for young people; and (4) filled critical service delivery gaps in meeting women’s health needs.