Financial hardship leaves residents in Thandwe and Gwa struggling to afford healthcare

By Admin 22 Oct 2026

DMG Newsroom

22 October 2026, Thandwe

Widespread job losses and declining incomes in Thandwe and Gwa townships in Arakan State are leaving many residents unable to afford basic food supplies and essential medical care, according to local sources.

Although the public health department has medical personnel available, many internally displaced people (IDPs) and local residents cannot afford to travel to hospitals and clinics for treatment, local sources said.

“Livelihood conditions are extremely tight,” said a resident of Thandwe Township. “When people fall ill, many are forced to endure their ailments using whatever minimal medicines are within reach. Some lack even the funds to purchase basic medicine, making their situations critical.”

In medical emergencies, patients with established connections to local humanitarian organizations are more likely to reach hospitals or clinics in time. Those unable to contact aid providers promptly face potentially life-threatening difficulties, according to local sources.

Local aid groups, supported by domestic and international donors, are providing emergency food rations and healthcare assistance to rural communities and IDPs. However, aid workers say the assistance remains insufficient to meet needs across the two townships.

“In cases requiring hospitalization, the vast majority face financial hardship,” said a resident of Gwa Township. “Medical staff are fully present. Local volunteer groups provide financial aid to help cover treatment costs for some emergency cases. However, because financial hardship affects the entire township, current aid remains inadequate.”

An estimated 80 percent of people in Thandwe and Gwa townships who previously relied on fishing and related maritime industries for their livelihoods are now unemployed, according to local sources. Many are struggling to survive amid soaring prices for basic food items.

Displaced people and local residents in Thandwe, Gwa and Taungup townships continue to need urgent assistance with food and essential healthcare, local sources said.