Twenty-two participants began a community health promotion training program in Yangon, Myanmar, on July 8, continuing an Adventist initiative aimed at strengthening health knowledge and equipping individuals to serve their communities.
The Community Health Promotion Training Course opened on Dhammar Yan Kone Road in Thar Kone Ward, Insein Township, bringing together 18 women and four men for the latest cycle of the training.
Reaching its 31st training cycle reflects the initiative's continuing emphasis on community health education. Organizers said participants from previous courses have continued sharing practical health information with others, extending the training's influence beyond those who attend the program.
The initiative came at a significant time for Myanmar, where access to health services remains a challenge for millions of people. Studies shows an estimate of 9.3 million people in the country will need support to access basic health services in 2026. Conflict, displacement, recurrent natural disasters and the continuing effects of the March 2025 earthquake have placed additional pressure on communities and health services.
Financial constraints and limited access to functioning health facilities also remain significant barriers to care, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Against this backdrop, community-based health education can contribute to broader efforts to strengthen health awareness and resilience. By equipping individuals with practical health knowledge, programs such as the Yangon training provide participants with information they can share within their families, churches and communities.
Health education has long formed part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's approach to service, connecting physical well-being with its commitment to caring for the whole person. Through initiatives such as the Community Health Promotion Training Course, Adventist volunteers in Myanmar continue to create opportunities for people to gain knowledge that can contribute to healthier communities.
Elvin Pho Pho Hla, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Myanmar (MYUM), attended the opening program and offered a special prayer for the participants.
Church leaders, pastors, administrators, physicians, church members and invited guests also attended the program, bringing together ministry and health professionals in support of the 22 participants.
Organizers expressed appreciation to church leaders, health professionals and others who supported the initiative. They also prayed for God's guidance throughout the training and for each participant to successfully complete the course.
As Myanmar continues to navigate challenges affecting access to health care, the Community Health Promotion Training Course represents the church's continuing investment in people and preventive health education — equipping individuals with knowledge they can carry beyond the training venue and share with the communities around them.
The original article was published in the Myanmar Union Mission website.
