Myanmar - at the doctor's

Myanmar - at the doctor's

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Two women sit on the staircase of Yangon’s Muslim Charity Hospital as they wait to see a doctor – not always an easy task in Myanmar, one of Asia’s poorest countries.

The nation’s medical system wasted away during almost half a century of isolation and military misrule. Currently, the price of care is beyond the means of many, while those who can afford it often seek treatment overseas.

. YANGON, Myanmar. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

In 2000 the World Health Organization ranked Myanmar second-last out of 191 countries surveyed for "overall health system performance".

Now, the quasi-civilian government that took over from the army in 2011 is trying to turn the sector around. It has ratcheted up spending on the medical system and is also seeking foreign investment.

Several leading regional healthcare companies are already operating in Myanmar and others plan to enter soon.

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Slideshow

A Buddhist nun is pictured in the Muslim Charity Hospital in Yangon.
. YANGON, Myanmar. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

A Buddhist nun is pictured in the Muslim Charity Hospital in Yangon.

Pregnant women sit on the floor at the charity hospital as they wait to see a doctor.
. YANGON, Myanmar. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

Pregnant women sit on the floor at the charity hospital as they wait to see a doctor.

A patient lies on a bed at the hospital.
. YANGON, Myanmar. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

A patient lies on a bed at the hospital.

A woman breastfeeds her newborn baby.
. YANGON, Myanmar. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

A woman breastfeeds her newborn baby.

A baby lies by its mother.
. YANGON, Myanmar. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

A baby lies by its mother.

Women lie in a ward as they are given treatment at the Muslim Charity Hospital.
. YANGON, Myanmar. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

Women lie in a ward as they are given treatment at the Muslim Charity Hospital.

Doctors speak to patients at the Healthy Farm charity clinic, based in a monastery outside Yangon.
. YANGON, Myanmar. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

Doctors speak to patients at the Healthy Farm charity clinic, based in a monastery outside Yangon.

Doctor Ye Thiha Htwe examines a Buddhist novice nun at the clinic.
. YANGON, Myanmar. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

Doctor Ye Thiha Htwe examines a Buddhist novice nun at the clinic.

A patient has her blood pressure taken.
. YANGON, Myanmar. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

A patient has her blood pressure taken.

People wait to see a doctor at the Healthy Farm charity clinic.
. YANGON, Myanmar. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

People wait to see a doctor at the Healthy Farm charity clinic.