"1. What is the challenge? A network of basic health facilities has been established in each of the 330 townships, covering both rural and urban areas. For the vast majority of Myanmar?s people, particularly the 70% who reside in rural areas, the township health system (THS) is the only government-funded source of preventive, promotive and curative services. A typical THS has a catchment population of between 150 000 and 200 000, is managed by the Township Health Department, and led by the Township Medical Officer (TMO). At the centre of the system is the township hospital, and below this a network of station hospitals, rural health centres (RHC) and sub-rural health centres (sRHC), each with a specified complement of staff, supported by volunteer health workers. To achieve the national policy objective of progressing towards universal health coverage (UHC) through a primary health-care approach by 2030, the THS is critical to success. It is responsible for the bulk of health care delivery ? particularly in rural areas ? and is at the heart of national health development in Myanmar. However, if the THS is to be the backbone of health care provision, it currently suffers from a severe case of osteoporosis..."