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36 Scaling early childhood development services in Myanmar: a private sector pilot study from Pun Hlaing Hospital

bmjpo · 2026-07-14 · canonical JSON source

5 visible annotations · policy: published · automated confidence ≥ 75.00%

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Objectives To evaluate early outcomes from a private sector pilot initiative providing early childhood developmental screening at Pun Hlaing Hospital, Yangon, and to assess the feasibility of expanding such services within the hospital’s network.Methods The Child Health and Development Clinic (CHDC) introduced routine developmental assessments at key ages ranging from 2 months to 5 years. Parental engagement was facilitated through educational materials, structured consultations, and Myanmar-language home monitoring tools. Screenings were conducted by trained nurses using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3), with follow-up based on standardized scoring thresholds. Children identified with potential concerns were referred for specialist assessment and therapy. Feasibility for service expansion was examined through staffing and resource review, stakeholder input, and preliminary cost analysis.Results From April to December 2024, 319 children were assessed, the majority (58.9%) under one year of age. Developmental concerns were identified in 33 children (10.3%), primarily related to communication. Of these, 22 (66.7%) were referred to pediatric neurology, with diagnoses including autism spectrum disorder (n=5), cerebral palsy (n=2), and ADHD (n=1). Children also received referrals for physiotherapy and speech therapy as appropriate. Most families were based in Yangon, with operational findings supporting adaptation to additional sites.Conclusions In a setting where public child development services remain limited or fragmented, this private sector-led pilot demonstrates a practical and effective approach to early identification and intervention. The CHDC model addresses a critical gap and offers a viable framework for expanding developmental services within Myanmar’s current healthcare landscape.