"Ethnic Health Systems Strengthening Group: Providing healthcare in over 240 clinics and mobile health teams in Karen, Karenni, Mon and Shan states, as well as the Eastern Bago and northern Tanintharyi regions, the Ethnic Health Systems Strengthening Group (EHSSG) network consists of 9 partner organizations aiming to build ethnic health systems in Eastern Burma and advocate for recognition of their systems by the Ministry of Health and Sports. The partner organizations are either community-based organizations (CBOs) or ethnic health organizations (EHOs) and provide health services in ethnic areas of Eastern Burma: Shan State Development Foundation (SSDF), Pa-Oh Health Working Committee (PHWC), Civil Health and Development Network (CHDN), Karen Department of Health and Welfare (KDHW), Back Pack Health Worker Team (BPHWT), Burma Medical Association (BMA), Mon National Health Committee (MNHC), Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) and Loi Tao Li (LTL). In order to strengthen ethnic health systems, EHSSG implements the 6 building blocks as advised by the WHO: service delivery; health workforce; access to essential medication; leadership and governance; health financing and health information systems. MTC’s Burma-Based Health Services department is a core member of EHSSG. Although MTC is not involved in direct service delivery, we build the supporting framework necessary to have sustainably functioning quality health systems. MTC primarily assists its partner organizations in the EHSSG with Quality Improvement and Governance and Leadership.....Area-Based Health Delivery: In 2018, MTC and KDHW started area-based health delivery in the Mu Traw/ Hpa Pun district in northern Karen state. Health service providers in the area cooperated to ensure that the region’s entire population has access to primary health care, and, when necessary, referrals to advanced-level hospitals. This approach was overseen and coordinated by a newly established District Health Management team, consisting of a clinical supervisor, RH supervisor, pharmacy manager, admin manager, finance coordinator and HIS supervisor. The process of developing the area-based plan took place throughout 2017. Many aspects of health service were considered before putting this plan into place, including: mapping existing services and providers including government facilities; a standardizing staffing structure and pay banding for the health facilities; identifying the gap and coverage overlaps in service areas and population; standardizing medical record forms; and reviewing the referral options (to both Thai and Burma government facilities). Other factors inherent to the success of area- based health delivery are: organizational development for health administrative levels, health worker training, continuing medical education and appointment of human resources following the agreed standard structure for village tract health centers. 20 village tract health committees were formed and will be involved when addressing health issues and services in the area..."