CONTRACTING HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR COVERAGE EXPANSION OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME IN MYANMAR: POTENTIAL AND PROBLEMS

Abstract

At present, Myanmar’s Social Security Scheme (SSS), which is run by the Ministry of Labour (MoL)’s Social Security Board, covers 2.1 per cent of the country’s labour force across 110 townships. Although insured workers, who cannot access MoL health facilities, may seek treatment at health facilities under the Ministry of Health, which are then reimbursed, on average only about 250 cases per month use this option. In addition, the quality of care has remained an area of concern. In light of recent amendments of the Social Security Law, it is therefore important to assess if the contracting model could be used to increase coverage and improve the quality of services offered by the SSS. This study is a qualitative study, using secondary data and primary data from 26 in-depth interviews with key stakeholders as well as a focus group discussion, and examines the perception of stakeholders to find out the potential and problem for contracting health care service. The main findings are problems for contracting as internal reforming which changing mind set Social Security’s worker, setting rule and regulation for contracting, for external problems negotiating with outsider for contracting terms and potential for contracting as pharmacy contracting.