Burma health information facts

Burma Health Information Fact Sheet

Burma: Health Information Fact Sheet

Data source: UNICEF "State of the World’s Children, 1997," UNAIDS, Others

General Indicators

1. Population estimate: 46.5 million

2. Under 5 mortality/1000 in 1960= 237, in 1995= 150. (Bangladesh was 115, Cambodia 174). Data from KNU suggests rate in Karens 350-400 in 1995)

3. Annual births in 1995= 146,8000. Maternal mortality, 580/100,000

4. Annual deaths under age 5= 220,000

5. GNP (estimate)= 220 USD/year. (Haiti= 230, Burkina Faso= 300, Chad=180)

6. Life expectancy at birth in 1995= 59 years

7. Adult literacy= 83% (higher in men)

Health Indicators

1. Low birth weight (1995)= 16%

2. children under 5 underweight: Moderate= 43%; severe= 16%; wasting= 8%

3. Access to clean drinking water: Total= 60%; Urban= 78%; Rural= 50%

4. Access to sanitation: Total= 43%; Urban= 56%; Rural= 36%

5. Access to Health care: Total= 60%; Urban= 100%; Rural= 47%

6. Full Immunization for kids: TB= 82%, DPT= 72%, Polio= 72%, Measles= 75%

7. Adults using heroin/opiates= 1.5--25% across townships.

8. HIV prevalence (estimated) 1-4% nationwide

9. Women with access to contraception (1990-1996)= 17%

Economic Indicators

1. Families living below absolute poverty level: Urban= 40%, rural= 40%.

2. ODA assistance in 1994= 162 million USD

3. SLORC Government expenditures, 1990-1995: Health= 5%; Education= 15%; Defense= 39%

4. Annual inflation over 1985-1994 period= 25%

Comments

These figures must be used with caution. Burma’s population census is archaic and politically biased to favor Burmans and urban residents, making all denominators unreliable. Under 5 mortality in studies done by NGO and Ethnic organizations is much higher, in some areas approaching 50% of under-fives. NHEC estimates of military expenditures are over 60%. Lastly, UNICEF figures do not include "black market" monies, refugees, internally displaced persons, and those ethnic areas not under SLORC/SPDC control between 1990-present.