Allow me also to express my sincere appreciation to the Health Secretaries who are attending the Meeting despite their heavy schedules and commitments in their respective countries. The Health Secretaries meeting is very important because it has served as a forum for exchanging views and experiences, regarding health and health related matters in our countries. Over the years there has been considerable changes in the political, economic and social conditions all over the world. It is only natural that we have to act accordingly to meet these changing conditions and challenges. It is highly commendable that the WHO is forever trying to improve and intensify its efforts to fulfil the health development needs of member countries.
Health plays a pivotal role for development.
Promotion of Health and social development is vital for enhancing the quality of life. In accordance with the country's social objective of uplifting the health standards of the entire people, the Government of the Union of Myanmar has accorded priority in allocation of Government Budget to the health sector and the Ministry of Health is one of the largest recipients of budgetary funds. Consequently, this has greatly contributed towards the improvement of health care standards in the nation in recent years. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has carried out health sector reforms with the aim to increase equity, efficiency and quality of health services. Broadly speaking, the reform has encompassed policy, organization, institutional development, human resources, health financing and the private sector.