Basic medical care difficult to obtain in coronavirus-battered Taungup Twsp

By DMG 04 Aug 2021

DMG Newsroom
3 August 2021

With Taungup Township tallying the second highest third-wave coronavirus death toll in Arakan State, people looking for routine medical care and treatment for common illnesses are finding health clinics closed and alternatives limited as shortages of basic medicines are reported at pharmacies across the state. 

As of August 2, Taungup Township had recorded 49 Covid-19 fatalities out of 158 positive cases during the pandemic’s ongoing third wave, according to Arakan State’s Department of Public Health. 

“We cannot easily obtain medicines for normal sickness. If we are able to buy medicine, it is more expensive than the normal price because markets, pharmacies and clinics are closed during the rise and spread of Covid-19,” said Ko Nay Lin Aung, a resident of Taungup town. 

Residents said some pharmacies are selling a single sheet of Decolgen for K2,500, a significant markup from normal pricing. Prices of medicines have increased in other townships as well, including reports of overcharging at some drug stores in the Arakan State capital Sittwe. 

Of Arakan State’s 17 townships, Sittwe has suffered the most third-wave fatalities to date, with 55 people reported dead as a result of the virus.  

U Than Win, head of the Department of Public Relations and Information in Taungup Township, said the military government in Arakan State began vaccinating people over 65 years old against Covid-19 on August 1. 

“The military council has currently allocated vaccines for 3,660 people in Taungup. After vaccinating people over 65 years old, priority will be given to volunteers and government departmental staff,” he said. 

The Shin Than Yay charity organisation primarily helps with transporting Covid-19 patients and providing food supplies for people under lockdown in Taungup Township, and there has been no difficulty carrying out their activities, said U Ponenyar Nanda, the patron monk of the charity group. 

Shin Than Yay is also providing food supplies to people who are facing livelihood difficulties as they have been left jobless during the pandemic, or are victims of recent flooding.