Dr Kyu Kyu Than
Research Director (Myanmar Program)
Background
Dr Kyu Kyu Than is a public health specialist and a health system researcher with a speciality in sexual, reproductive, and maternal health. A Medical doctor with a PhD from the University of Melbourne. She is currently a Research Director for the Myanmar Country Program at the Burnet Institute. She has been leading and managing a variety of research and service delivery projects for the Myanmar Program which include multi-country collaborative consortium for health system strengthening in fragile and conflict settings (ReBUILD for Resilience), adolescents mental health projects (Healthy Mind Healthy Future) and infectious diseases, especially COVID-19 and hepatitis.
She has extensive experience in working in and with Governments, UN Agencies, The World Bank and Non-Government Organizations on health policy and health system strengthening. Dedicated and determined to enhance approaches that can decrease global inequities in health for women, men, children, and adolescents.
Qualifications
- 2018: PhD, Melbourne University, Australia
- 2001:MA (Population& Reproductive Health Research), Mahidol University, Thailand
- 1998: M.Med.Sc (Preventive & Tropical Medicine), Institute of Medicine (1) Yangon, Myanmar
- 1987: M. B. B. S, Institute of Medicine (1) Yangon, Myanmar
Appointments
- 2021-Present: Research Director, Burnet Institute, Myanmar
- 2018-2021: National Consultant (RMNCAH), Global Financing Facility, The World Bank Group
- 2014-2017: Myanmar Country Program Advisor (part-time), Burnet Institute (Australia)
- 2010-2013: Technical Coordinator, Burnet Institute, Myanmar
- May 2010 – October 2010: National Consultant, (UNICEF, Save the Children, Burnet Institute)
- 2005- 2010: Research Scientist, Epidemiology Research Division, Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Myanmar
- 1995 -1995: Senior Research Officer, Epidemiology Research Division, Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Myanmar
- 1991-1995: Demonstrator, Preventive & Social Medicine Department, Institute of Medicine (1), Myanmar
Positions
- 2021-Present: Research Director, Burnet Institute, Myanmar
- 2018-2021: National Consultant (RMNCAH), Global Financing Facility, The World Bank Group
- 2014-2017: Myanmar Country Program Advisor (part-time) Burnet Institute (Australia)
- 2010-2013: Technical Coordinator, Burnet Institute, Myanmar
- May 2010 – October 2010: National Consultant, (UNICEF, Save the Children, Burnet Institute)
- 2005- 2010: Research Scientist, Epidemiology Research Division, Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Myanmar
- 1995 -1995: Senior Research Officer, Epidemiology Research Division, Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Myanmar
- 1991-1995: Demonstrator, Preventive & Social Medicine Department, Institute of Medicine (1), Myanmar
Awards
- Honorary Burnet Institute Associate (2019-2023)
- Australian Leadership Award (2014-2018)
- Australia Awards Leadership Program, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia
- Australia Awards Fellowship (2014-2018)
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia - Best Paper Award for 2017 (Maternal Health)
Third International Conference on Public Health, Malaysia, July 2017 - Best Paper Award for 2010 (Health System Research)
Research Congress, Ministry of Health, 2010 - Best Paper Award for 2009 (Health System Research)
Research Congress, Ministry of Health, 2009 - Best Paper Award for 2006 (Basic Research)
Research Congress, Ministry of Health, 2006 - Best Paper Award for 2005 (Health System Research)
Research Congress, Ministry of Health, 2005 - Best Paper Award for 2004 (Health System Research)
Research Congress, Ministry of Health, 2004
Burnet publications
View 10 moreCommunity and health system stressors and coping mechanisms during a double crisis: a qualitative case study from Myanmar
Research Square (Research Square)
Hnin Kalyar Kyaw et al
Optimizing Myanmar’s community-delivered malaria volunteer model: a qualitative study of stakeholders’ perspectives
Malaria Journal
Win Han Oo et al
Community demand for comprehensive primary health care from malaria volunteers in South-East Myanmar: a qualitative study
Malaria Journal
Win Han Oo et al
Current projects
Innovative futures for adolescent pregnancy prevention
In Papua New Guinea and Myanmar, we're changing responses to unintended pregnancy among girls and young women by exploring contraceptive self-care strategies.
Perspectives of an inhaled oxytocin intervention for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage
This study aims to guide the development and facilitate the future implementation of inhaled oxytocin in three diverse country settings.
Past projects
ReBUILD for Resilience
ReBUILD for Resilience is an international consortium focused on examining health systems in fragile settings experiencing violence, conflict, pandemics and other shocks.
Evaluation of the Joint Initiative for Maternal Newborn and Child Health in Myanmar
Burnet, in partnership with local and international researchers, led the impact evaluation of this project to document successes and guide future UN investments.
