Call to ease restrictions on Myanmar-origin doctors with permanent resident status

30 November 2019
Call to ease restrictions on Myanmar-origin doctors with permanent resident status
Photo: Myanmar Union Parliament

Minister of Health and Sports Dr. Myint Htwe said that they would ease restrictions imposed on Myanmar-origin doctors staying with permanent resident (PR) status in Myanmar.

Dr. Myint Htwe said this is reply to a question as to whether there was any plan to ease restrictions imposed on Myanmar-origin medical doctors with PR status like other nations do, raised by lower house MP Dr. Than Win from North Okkalapa constituency in the parliament session on November 29.

“My senior told me to attract and persuade Myanmar origin doctors living in foreign countries to come back and work here. As the MP said, they can share the latest clinical technology and therapy that they are practising in those countries with us. And they can teach our medical students. And they can conduct workshops for us. They can contribute to the country in many ways. In this way, all of us can know what is going on in other countries (in the medical field),” Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe said.

Currently the foreigner doctors have to pay 600,000 kyats per month to the government and Dr. Myint Htwe said they would completely waive current tax collection from Myanmar-origin medical specialists who are currently paying taxes at the rate of 300,000 kyats per month.

North Okkalapa constituency MP Dr. Than Win told reporters that in addition to monthly tax payments, these Myanmar origin medical doctors with PR status were facing restrictions on their place of work and choice of hospital.

Reportedly the Dental and Oral Medical Council is allowing an easing of tax collections on these Myanmar origin doctors at present.

“Union Minister said only on money matters such as tax collections from these doctors. This is one of the major issues but there are many more major issues on restrictions imposed on these doctors. They are restricted on the place of their work. In some cases they have to take recommendation letters for working in some places. For instance, a Myanmar-origin OG specialist with a PR status has to take recommendation letters from the Myanmar OG concerned. So there are some problems with these issues,” MP Dr. Than Win added.

Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe said that Myanmar Medical Council and Union Health Ministry will meet in December to ease and relax these restrictions.

Lower House speaker T. Khun Myat suggested publishing this Q&A in state-run media and the government gazette as it will be beneficial to the Myanmar people.