Free healthcare services offered to Sittwe poor

By DMG 11 Dec 2021

DMG Newsroom
11 December, 2021 Sittwe 

Free healthcare services were provided to the poor in the Arakan State capital Sittwe on December 11. 

Dr. Nyi Nyi Thar, a doctor from the International Training Center (ITC), a nursing and pharmacy assistant training school, along with students from the ITC and healthcare workers provided the free medical services.  

Ko Soe Nyein Kyaw of the ITC said that free medical treatment was provided to the poor and those who could not otherwise afford to go to hospitals or clinics. 

“The doctor offers free medical care to those who cannot afford it because it is a day off for him. We will also give medicine to those who need to take medicine,” he added. 

More than 100 people received free medical treatment on Saturday at the office of a local blood donation philanthropic group, where the ITC doctor provided care for patients with asthma, eye disease and other ailments. 

Ko Myo Chit Ko of the blood donation group said the free treatment was a good thing at a time when the poor are having difficulties getting medical care.  

“There are many people who cannot afford to see the doctor at a private hospital or private clinic,” he explained.  

Training courses on nursing and pharmacy care are being offered at ITCs in Taunggyi, Sittwe, Myitkyina, Yangon, Mandalay, Magway, Monywa and Pakokku. 

Local youths opened a free clinic in Sittwe’s Kon Tan ward on May 3 and the clinic has been offering free healthcare services to people on Mondays and Fridays, said Ko Sithu Aung, one of the youths involved.  

“In the past, the clinic provided free medical care three days a week to those who could not afford it. The doctor provides free treatment only two days a week due to lack of time and medication problems,” he added. 

An average of 50 to 70 people reportedly visit the clinic every day.