Free health clinics struggle to keep doors open in post-cyclone Sittwe

By Admin 24 Jul 2023

DMG Newsroom
24 July 2023, Sittwe

Free clinics providing basic healthcare services for the needy in the Arakan State capital Sittwe are struggling to continue their operations more than two months after Cyclone Mocha hit western Myanmar on May 14.

Clinics that were damaged by the storm have yet to be repaired, and still can’t afford to restock medicines and medical equipment as donations have declined, according to operators.

“Things have become quite difficult since the storm. We have as yet only received small donations, and we are struggling to continue our operation,” said Ko Thar Che, who is in charge of the Metta Yaung Chi Foundation.

Before the storm, the foundation provided weekly healthcare services at two monasteries and a ward in Sittwe with two doctors. But financial constraints have left the foundation on the verge of suspending operations.

It costs around 1 million kyats to resupply medicines monthly, said Ko Thar Che.

Free Clinic Rakhine, which also provides free healthcare services in Sittwe, is facing a similar situation.

“We have run out of general medicine like painkillers and vitamin C. If we can’t operate, low-income families who rely on our healthcare services will suffer,” said a doctor from Free Clinic Rakhine.

Because of the higher number of patients during the rainy season, the clinic is currently open three days a week, up from two days previously.

Those free clinics provide basic healthcare services for low-income families in Danyawaddy, Setyonesu and Myothugyi wards as well as Pauktaw, Kyauktaw, Kanhtaukgyi.

“Low-income families, including elderly people, rely on those clinics. It will create problems for them if those clinics can’t operate. The prices of painkillers have increased by at least 200 kyats,” said Daw Ma Khin Than from Konetan ward.

High numbers of dengue fever, malaria and seasonal influenza cases have been reported in Arakan State. As of July 21, a total of 963 dengue fever cases had been recorded in Arakan State this year, according to the Arakan State Health Department.

Cyclone Mocha affected more than 1.5 million people and caused widespread property damage in Arakan State.