About DMR

Advancing health through medical research in Myanmar

The Department of Medical Research conducts scientific research, strengthens national research capacity, and supports evidence-based health policy and practice.

What is DMR?

Myanmar's national medical research institution

The Department of Medical Research was established in 1963 as the Burma Medical Research Institute. In 1972, it became a department under the Ministry of Health and was renamed the Department of Medical Research.

Today, DMR continues more than six decades of work from its headquarters in Yangon and its branch in Pyin Oo Lwin, supporting biomedical and public health research for the people of Myanmar.

Our Mission

To improve scientific knowledge in the country through capacity building, new technologies, research training, and promotion of a strong research culture in academic and health institutions.

Activities

What DMR Does

DMR works across research, training, collaboration, and public health support to improve health outcomes.

Health Research

Conducts biomedical, clinical, laboratory, and public health research relevant to national health needs.

Policy Support

Generates evidence that helps inform health programs, disease prevention, and public health decision making.

Training

Builds capacity for researchers and healthcare professionals through workshops, training, and mentorship.

Collaboration

Works with national and international partners to share expertise, resources, and research knowledge.

Research focus

Priority areas for better health

DMR focuses on research that is scientifically rigorous and relevant to the needs of communities across Myanmar.

Infectious diseases

Non-communicable diseases

Maternal and child health

Laboratory and biomedical science

Health systems research

Research publications

Research policy

National Health Research Policy (2017)

Guiding principles for strengthening health research systems, ethics, collaboration, research culture, and evidence-based decision making.

To establish national health research information system for avoiding duplication and redundancy, and for promoting effective dissemination and appropriate utilization of research findings.

To develop national health research agenda.

To promote ethical conduct of health research through strong and standardized Ethics Review Committees in academic institutions and health research institutions with extensive networking.

To promote inter-sectoral and multidisciplinary collaboration and networking in health research through application of various mechanisms given due consideration on economic, social and environmental issues.

To strengthen linkages with international and local non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations in health research.

To establish a well-functioning system of "Responsible Conduct of Research" in health research and academic institutions.

To inculcate a good research culture through creation of favorable research environment and promoting research in academic institutions.

To conduct quality and cost effective health systems research, translational research, implementation research, and biomedical research on issues and challenges encountered in implementing health care delivery system activities including universal health coverage in the country.

To ensure timeliness of conducting research on urgent and contemporary health issues of importance.

To utilize evidence-based research findings as appropriate in comprehensive rural development plans including underprivileged, underserved and marginalized people living in remote or hard-to-reach areas.

To promote quality assured traditional medicine research through application of state-of-the-art technology.

To collaborate with private sector under the principle of public private partnership and foster their participation in the health research system as equal partners.

To conduct national health research management forums and national health research congress, and to create platforms for improving the domain of health research.

To enhance ways and means including mechanisms for resource mobilization, sharing and research funding in carrying out essential national health research related to promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care for priority national health problems.

Connect

Explore DMR's work and collaborations

Learn about research activities, publications, events, and opportunities to work with DMR.

View Publications Contact DMR