A new day for healthcare in its recently won Shan State territory, MNDAA says

By Admin 20 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
20 August 2024, Sittwe

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) said Monday that it is delivering public healthcare services in areas where it has seized control from the regime, with about 500 staff, most of whom are employees of the former public health system who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) after Myanmar’s 2021 coup.

The ethnic Kokang armed group has claimed expansion of the Kokang Self-Administered Zone in northern Shan State during the anti-regime “Operation 1027,” which was launched in late October. Pre-coup, the MNDAA had already operated as the administrative authority of Shan State Special Region 1, with its capital at Laukkai.

The public healthcare system covering its more recent territorial claims was launched in January, said Dr. Ba Thet, spokesman for the health department of Shan State Special Region 1.

“We are operating with around 500 health workers and are gaining momentum. Most of the staff are CDM-ers.”

The MNDAA said its health department aims to provide healthcare services to all, regardless of race and religion; improve the healthcare system to meet international standards; and provide jobs for CDM healthcare workers.

The MNDAA on August 11 reopened the public hospital in Lashio Town, which it seized from the regime in recent weeks, according to Dr. Ba Thet.

“More and more people are coming to receive treatment at the hospital. We are also providing treatment for injured prisoners of war,” he said.

The MNDAA also plans to equip the hospital in Lashio with modern medical technology and pharmaceuticals to turn it into an international-standard healthcare facility, said Dr. Ba Thet.