Than Htike Aung

Yes, the difference between rural and urban healthcare in Myanmar is something we can feel immediately not just see on paper. In the cities, even with all the challenges, people can still find a functioning hospital, a specialist, or at least a private clinic. There is electricity, diagnostic equipment, and a chance to be referred if something…[Read more]

In Myanmar, we are facing a critical health workforce crisis. Even before the 2021 coup, our country was below WHO standards for the number of health workers, with big gaps between urban and rural areas. Since the coup, Civil Disobedient Movement (CDM), attacks on health workers and hospitals, mass displacement, and migration have made the…[Read more]

The Good Points are
1. Efficient Patient Data Management
Electronic Medical Records enable efficient management of patient data by allowing healthcare providers to view patient information easily and in a timely manner. Patient data can be analyzed, and reports can be generated in real time, supporting informed clinical decision-making. In…[Read more]

The followings are my suggestions to cope with those challenges.

Missing Data
Missing data can be minimized by strengthening data entry processes through regular training, robust standard operating procedures (SOPs), and built-in data validation mechanisms at the point of entry. When missing values occur, they can be addressed by validating and…[Read more]

From Page 342, No.14
One should always use two-sided P values

That one depends upon the nature of hypothesis. If the interest of hypothesis is one direction, one-sided P value is appropriate. (e.g., Whether a new drug is better or not). If the interest of hypothesis is both directions, two-sided P values are suitable. (e.g., Effect of a new drug…[Read more]

I would like to provide my opinion with Myanmar current context. I agree with the first point. One of the most important steps that public health professionals can take in fighting corruption is to build a shared understanding of what corruption looks like within their health system. Corruption is often difficult to define because it takes many…[Read more]

In many public health HIV programs, one of the persistent challenges has been the long turnaround time for viral load (VL) test results. Although VL testing is routinely performed, delays often occur because samples collected at peripheral health facilities must be transported to centralized laboratories, results are processed manually, and…[Read more]

Hi! My name is Than Htike Aung from Myanmar. I have an academic background in both medicine and computer science. I am currently working as a Program Manager in an international non-governmental organization (INGO), overseeing several digital health projects. These projects are highly data-driven, and statistics play an important role in their…[Read more]

1. Risk Identification and Analysis
– External Risks: natural disasters (floods, storms), civil unrest and arm conflict.
– Facility Risks: unreliable electricity, fire, or building structural issues.
– Data System Risks: single-point-of-failure servers, outdated laptops, malware, poor backup practices.
– Departmental Risks: loss of M&E laptops,…[Read more]

I would like to share about the health challenges in Myanmar arising from the current situation, reflecting the realities of conflict, displacement, health-system disruption, digital gaps, and epidemiological trends in the country today.
1. Infectious Diseases Remain a Major Threat
Long-standing infectious diseases continue to pose serious…[Read more]

Benefits for Patients
1. Continuous Access to Care
High Availability (HA) ensures that the HIS stays online even if a server, database, or network component fails. Patients experience fewer delays during registration, consultations, lab tests, and pharmacy services.
2. Faster Service Delivery
With system uptime close to 100%, clinicians can access…[Read more]

When we began implementing OpenMRS for the ART program, the primary challenge was not the software itself but the substantial volume of legacy data. Years of ART records were dispersed across paper files and outdated registers, and staff were concerned that transitioning to OpenMRS would further increase their heavy daily workload. Without…[Read more]

I have also experienced an incident related to both Confidentiality and Availability. Our team once set up a test server for internal development. Because it was not considered part of the “main production system,” it was configured quickly and unfortunately left with default login credentials and an open port accessible from the internet. No one…[Read more]

I would like to continue with the discussion from previous section. To support open, honest, and respectful communication in the team, I focus on three key approaches:
1. Promote Clear and Open Dialogue
I encourage team members to speak up early when they have ideas, questions, or concerns. Instead of waiting until issues grow, we clarify…[Read more]

Dear Sirithep,

I would like to know how to apply technology to improve data collection and analysis for this surveillance system. As it is respiratory virus, less human interaction is important for the safety. I also would to know how evaluation indicators can be collected and monitor with less manual effeort.

Thank you.

Dear Ma Hteik Htar Tin,

Using two different platforms for data collection and combining into one is labour intensive especially when there is no automation process and requires regular data monitoring. I would like to suggest that using one platform or automated combination process will improve effective data utilization of this system.
Thank you.

Hi Ma Wah,

Thanks for the missing point. I arranged the slides and might be left out. For the indicators, I didn’t put details in the presentation due to time constraint. We will get those indicators from the following sources:
1. System logs from SIDES
2. Desk review of data from SIDES and paper-based records
3. Interview questions from…[Read more]

When I was assigned to lead the implementation of electronic medical record (EMR) system for our health program, I inherited a team composed of two very different professional groups: public health and clinical staff who deeply understood patient workflows, and IT developers who specialized in system customization and integration. While both sides…[Read more]

PM Lee Hsien Loong (Singapore)
On February 8, 2020, as Singapore raised its risk level (DORSCON) to Orange, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered an address designed to be a stabilizing force. His speech was a textbook execution of crisis communication, prioritizing credibility and promoting action.

He understood the urgency of the moment,…[Read more]