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'''OVERVIEW''' | '''OVERVIEW''' | ||
Myanmar is a country that is undergoing massive transitions, including in the sphere of women's health care. You can obtain many forms of contraception (birth control), including pills, injectables and IUDs. | Myanmar is a country that is undergoing massive transitions, including in the sphere of women's health care. You can obtain many forms of contraception (birth control), including pills, injectables and IUDs. Emergency contraception (the morning after pill) is also widely available over-the-counter at most pharmacies and some drug stores. In Myanmar, a prescription is not required for emergency contraception. While there are places to get STI tests, and there are no travel/residency restrictions tied to STI status, there are not many resources available for treating STIs. Regarding menstrual products, pads are most commonly available, although you can find tampons at Market Place locations. Currently, Myanmar has no national HPV vaccination program or a PrEP program, although private and NGO clinics do provide services. Maternity leave is given to women (12 weeks and 66.7% of wages covered). Abortion is generally illegal, except for cases when the pregnancy endangers the life of the woman. While an underground abortion network exists in Myanmar, there are many unsafe providers and it is recommended that one exercises extreme caution if they wish to obtain an abortion. | ||
==Contraception (Birth Control)== | ==Contraception (Birth Control)== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In Myanmar, you can obtain birth control. According to a 2015 study, 52% of women in Myanmar (who are married or in unions) use | In Myanmar, you can obtain birth control. According to a 2015 study, 52% of women in Myanmar (who are married or in unions) use any form of contraception, including traditional methods like the rhythm method or withdrawal. The number of women using modern methods of contraception is estimated to be 40%<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/jun/16/rural-myanmar-desperate-need-family-planning-services-access-contraception Baby blues: rural Myanmar’s desperate need for family planning services]</ref> to 49%. The most common modern methods are injectables (29.4%), the pill (12.3%), female sterilization (3.8%) and the IUD (2.2%).<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use Worldwide 2015]</ref> In 2013, UNFPA reported that one in four women in Myanmar do not have their family planning needs met.<ref>[http://myanmar.unfpa.org/news/unfpa-sponsored-family-planning-centers-yangon-proof-myanmar-commitments UNFPA-sponsored family planning centers in Yangon proof of Myanmar commitments]</ref> However, this number may have improved since 2013. | ||
While women in cities like Yangon and Mandalay have easy access to contraception, women in rural areas face additional hurdles. It is commonly believed that contraception promotes promiscuity and is only meant for married women. Furthermore, sex education is not taught in Burmese schools, and sex before marriage is taboo. If a woman is having sex before marriage, the social stigma attached to her choices may discourage her from seeking out contraception. Village women often live in isolated environments that do not have easy access to nearby towns, and some dirt paths were washed away in past storms.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/jun/16/rural-myanmar-desperate-need-family-planning-services-access-contraception Baby blues: rural Myanmar’s desperate need for family planning services]</ref> | |||
In 2015, Myanmar introduced a family law that has been criticized as targeting Muslim minorities. According the law, signed by President Thein Sein, Myanmar's state or regional governments can now request a presidential order, which gives local authorities the power to "organize" when women have children (i.e. they can enforce gaps of 36 months between births). This legislation was driven by nationalist Buddhist monks who fear a growing Muslim population.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/25/burmas-birth-control-law-exposes-buddhist-fear-of-muslim-minority Burma's birth control law exposes Buddhist fear of Muslim minority]</ref> Among the parties that have expressed concern about the bill are the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. | In 2015, Myanmar introduced a family law that has been criticized as targeting Muslim minorities. According the law, signed by President Thein Sein, Myanmar's state or regional governments can now request a presidential order, which gives local authorities the power to "organize" when women have children (i.e. they can enforce gaps of 36 months between births). This legislation was driven by nationalist Buddhist monks who fear a growing Muslim population.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/25/burmas-birth-control-law-exposes-buddhist-fear-of-muslim-minority Burma's birth control law exposes Buddhist fear of Muslim minority]</ref> Among the parties that have expressed concern about the bill are the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* Some of the '''birth control pills''' you can expect to see are Marvelon, Marvelon 28 and Microgynon ED, Exluton, Preme, OK Pills (PSI), Lydia Rosa (DKT), and Sure Pills (MSI). | |||
* Some of the '''birth control pills''' you can expect to see are Marvelon, Marvelon 28 and Microgynon ED, Exluton and | * If you want '''contraceptive injectables''', you can find Contracep, Depo-Provera, Megestron, Andalan and Norignon. | ||
* If you want '''contraceptive injectables''', you can find Contracep, Depo-Provera, Megestron and Norignon. | * If you want a '''contraceptive implant''', you can find Jadelle (2 rod) or Implanon (single rod). | ||
* If you want a '''contraceptive implant''', you can find Jadelle. | * Currently, only copper IUDs are widely available in Myanmar. Most common IUDs include the Copper T (10 year duration), Copper Y (lower-pain insertion, 5 year duration), Sleek or Multiload (5 year duration, smaller device ideal for women with smaller bodies or who have not experienced childbirth). Most hospitals with OBGYN departments offer insertion services. Marie Stopes Myanmar Thingangyun Center can provide insertion for IUDs and Implants, as well as contaceptive injectables. | ||
* | |||
Recommended pharmacies: | Recommended pharmacies: | ||
* Golden Valley Citymart - recommended by a Yangon local | * Golden Valley Citymart - recommended by a Yangon local | ||
* [https://www.internationalsos.com/locations/asia-pacific/myanmar International SOS Clinic Pharmacy] - should carry more international brands and staff speak many languages, including English, French, Japanese, and Burmese. | * [https://www.internationalsos.com/locations/asia-pacific/myanmar International SOS Clinic Pharmacy] - should carry more international brands and staff speak many languages, including English, French, Japanese, and Burmese. | ||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
*Birth control pills can cost anywhere between 200 kyats-6000 kyats | |||
*Cost per injectable, including medical service, is between 1500 kyats at local GP clinics to over 10,000 kyats at private hospitals. | |||
==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)== | ==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)== | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* In Myanmar, you can find EC at pharmacies and social marketing programs (e.g. PSI, DKT, MSI and PSIA). Some of the dedicated emergency contraception you can expect to see is Duet, ECee2, Pill 72, Postinor, Postinor-2 and | * In Myanmar, you can find EC at pharmacies, some convenience stores, and social marketing programs (e.g. PSI, DKT, MSI and PSIA). Some of the dedicated emergency contraception you can expect to see is Duet, ECee2, Pill 72, Postinor, Postinor-2, Pregnon, and Amor. For these brands, you should take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex. The are also single pill ECs available including 1SafePill, Norpill and Vonstrel 1.5.<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton EC Website]</ref> | ||
* If you can't access dedicated emergency contraception, you can use some oral contraceptives (birth control pills) as replacement EC. To do, remember that, in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used. You can take FMP (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later). You can also take Anna, Microgynon or Microgynon 30 ED (for all of these brands, take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later). | * If you can't access dedicated emergency contraception, you can use some oral contraceptives (birth control pills) as replacement EC. To do, remember that, in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used. You can take FMP (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later). You can also take Anna, Microgynon or Microgynon 30 ED (for all of these brands, take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later).<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton EC Website]</ref> | ||
* For more information on EC options in Myanmar, you can visit the [http://ec.princeton.edu/ Princeton EC website]. | * For more information on EC options in Myanmar, you can visit the [http://ec.princeton.edu/ Princeton EC website]. | ||
* You can also get an IUD, which can prevent a pregnancy for up to 5 days after unprotected sex. | * You can also get an IUD, which can prevent a pregnancy for up to 5 days after unprotected sex. | ||
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In Myanmar, there no known travel or residency restrictions related to STI status. You will not be asked for a medical certificate before entering the country.<ref>[http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=128 MYANMAR (BURMA) - REGULATIONS ON ENTRY, STAY AND RESIDENCE FOR PLHIV]</ref> There are 210,000 people living with HIV (.7% of the population), as of February 2017.<ref>[https://www.aidshealth.org/#/archives/countries/myanmar AIDS Healthcare Foundation Myanmar]</ref> | In Myanmar, there no known travel or residency restrictions related to STI status. You will not be asked for a medical certificate before entering the country.<ref>[http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=128 MYANMAR (BURMA) - REGULATIONS ON ENTRY, STAY AND RESIDENCE FOR PLHIV]</ref> There are 210,000 people living with HIV (.7% of the population), as of February 2017.<ref>[https://www.aidshealth.org/#/archives/countries/myanmar AIDS Healthcare Foundation Myanmar]</ref> | ||
Regarding HPV, as reported by HPV Information Centre, " Cervical cancer ranks as the 2nd most frequent cancer among women in Myanmar and the 1st most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age. Data is not yet available on the HPV burden in the general population of Myanmar. However, in South-Eastern Asia, the region Myanmar belongs to, about 3.0% of women in the general population are estimated to harbour cervical HPV-16/18 infection at a given time, and 71.6% of invasive cervical cancers are attributed to HPVs 16 or 18."<ref>[http://www.hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/MMR_FS.pdf Myanmar Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancers, Fact Sheet 2016]</ref> | Regarding HPV, as reported by HPV Information Centre, "Cervical cancer ranks as the 2nd most frequent cancer among women in Myanmar and the 1st most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age. Data is not yet available on the HPV burden in the general population of Myanmar. However, in South-Eastern Asia, the region Myanmar belongs to, about 3.0% of women in the general population are estimated to harbour cervical HPV-16/18 infection at a given time, and 71.6% of invasive cervical cancers are attributed to HPVs 16 or 18."<ref>[http://www.hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/MMR_FS.pdf Myanmar Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancers, Fact Sheet 2016]</ref> | ||
More information: | |||
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmjk6-uHrQI 'Myanmar's neglected HIV/AIDS patients' - Al Jazeera Video Report from 2012] | |||
===Testing Facilities=== | ===Testing Facilities=== | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
In Myanmar, pads are easier to find than tampons. Local women say that you can find tampons at Market Place in Golden Valley | In Myanmar, pads are easier to find than tampons. Local women say that you can find tampons at Taw Win Centre on Pyay Road (in the downstairs area), City Mart, Market Place in Golden Valley, Market Place at Myanmar Plaza and Orange Supermarkets. While menstrual cups are not widely available, you may be able to purchase Lunette from [https://www.liveloveluna.com/ liveloveluna] and have it shipped to Myanmar. There are no official sellers of most major menstrual cup brands (that we know of) in Myanmar, such as DivaCup, MoonCup, LadyCup, etc. | ||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
While wealthy women often leave the country for medical care, the majority of Burmese women do not have this luxury. We are still researching what are the best options for women in Myanmar, including the most affordable ones. For now, here is a list of some hospitals and clinics that are considered to be higher-quality in Yangon. | While wealthy women often leave the country for medical care, the majority of Burmese women do not have this luxury. We are still researching what are the best options for women in Myanmar, including the most affordable ones. For now, here is a list of some hospitals and clinics that are considered to be higher-quality in Yangon. | ||
Notice: Pun Hlaing Siloam Hospital is offering a special well woman screening package for the month of February 2017. Call 01 684433 for more details. | |||
====Clinics==== | ====Clinics==== | ||
* [http://www.internationalsos.com/ International SOS Clinic]: Address: MMR013042,, Yangon MMR013042, Myanmar (Burma). Phone: +95 1 657 922. | * Shwe Gon Dine (SSC) Specialist Centre - Woman Center: Recommended gynecologists: Daw May Thu Myoe Nyunt ("She's the best in Myanmar"), Daw Cherry Than Than Tin, Daw Khin Myint Myint Than.Address: 7 Shwe Gon Daing (East) Street, Bahan, Yangon, Phone: (01) 544128 or 544116. Email: shwegondinehospital@gmail.com. | ||
* [http://www.internationalsos.com/ International SOS Clinic]: We're not sure if they have gynecologists on staff but they're an international organization that usually has good health care. Address: MMR013042,, Yangon MMR013042, Myanmar (Burma). Phone: +95 1 657 922. | |||
* Australian Embassy Medical Clinic and Dental Surgery: Address: Strand Rd, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) | * Australian Embassy Medical Clinic and Dental Surgery: Address: Strand Rd, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) | ||
* Sakura Medical Centre: 23 Shin Saw Pu Road, Sanchaung Township, Yangon, Phone: (01) 510079 or 510186. | * Sakura Medical Centre: 23 Shin Saw Pu Road, Sanchaung Township, Yangon, Phone: (01) 510079 or 510186. | ||
* Home Medicare Service Clinic: No. 30 Shwe Taung Tan Street, Lanmadaw, Phone: (01) 225791 or 707748. | * Home Medicare Service Clinic: No. 30 Shwe Taung Tan Street, Lanmadaw, Phone: (01) 225791 or 707748. | ||
* Marie Stopes Myanmar Thingganyun Center SH-B1/14A Yadana Rd, Thingangyun Center Phone: (09) 7322 4606 - Has English speaking providers which comply to international standards. In addition to cervical cancer screening, they can also offer Cryotherapy. | |||
====Hospitals==== | ====Hospitals==== | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* [http://womenofburma.org/programs/women-against-violence/ Women Against Violence]: "Since 2005, the Women Against Violence Program has organized hundreds of community discussions and open dialogue sessions in ethnic areas inside Burma and around its borders. These exchanges bring between 3,000 -4,000 men and women together per year to discuss violence against women and how to end the cycle of violence in their communities. In many areas these discussions were the first time the issue of Domestic Violence had been addressed publicly." | |||
* [http://www.colorsrainbow.com/advocacy/ Colors Rainbow - Advocacy]: "Colors Rainbow organizes community events such as International Day Against Homophobia and Transgender Day of Remembrance with other LGBT groups around country." | |||
* [http://www.lrcmyanmar.org/en/cso-database/2320 Sex Worker in Myanmar Network]: Telephone: 09-43200489, Contact Email (ဆက္သြယ္ရန္အီးေမးလ္လိပ္စာ). Email: swimnetwork2011@gmail.com, thwn428@gmail, | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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==List of Additional Resources== | ==List of Additional Resources== | ||
* [http://womenofburma.org/ Women's League of Burma]: "Women’s League of Burma (WLB) works for the advancement of the status of women towards a peaceful and just society in Burma." | |||
* [http://www.shanwomen.org/ Shan Women's Action Network]: "We commit ourselves to work for gender equality and justice for Shan women in the struggle for social and political change in Burma through community-based actions, research and advocacy." | |||
* [http://www.mmcwa-myanmar.org/ Myanmar Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association]: "Mission: To serve Myanmar Society by improving health and well-being of mothers and children with the aim to improve the quality of life of the people." | |||
* [http://burmesewomensunion.org/ Burmese Women's Union]: "BWU exists to promote the role of women in Burma and to efficiently increase women's contributions to the political and social leadership functions in the struggle for democracy and human rights and the establishment of a genuine democratic federal union." | |||
* Women's Organizations Network of Myanmar: Contact Address hide (ဆက္သြယ္ရန္လိပ္စာ), Building 11, Room 3(A), 2nd Floor, Sen Yeik Nyein 2 Street, Kamaryurt Township. Telephone: 09 430 23325. Contact Email (ဆက္သြယ္ရန္အီးေမးလ္လိပ္စာ). Email: won.myanmar@gmail.com | * Women's Organizations Network of Myanmar: Contact Address hide (ဆက္သြယ္ရန္လိပ္စာ), Building 11, Room 3(A), 2nd Floor, Sen Yeik Nyein 2 Street, Kamaryurt Township. Telephone: 09 430 23325. Contact Email (ဆက္သြယ္ရန္အီးေမးလ္လိပ္စာ). Email: won.myanmar@gmail.com | ||
* [https://www.trocaire.org/whatwedo/wherewework/myanmar Trócaire Myanmar]: "Trócaire’s work in Myanmar focuses on humanitarian response, peace building, gender equality, and land rights." | |||
* [https://www.facebook.com/myanmarlgbt/ Myanmar LGBT Org]: "For Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgender which is the one following Human Rights!" | |||
* [http://www.colorsrainbow.com/ Colors Rainbow]: "Colors Rainbow (CRB) began as a specific LGBT project of the NGO Equality Myanmar (EQMM) in 2007, and has since grown into Myanmar’s leading LGBT rights organization." | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||