Chronic patients struggle amid medicine blockade in Manaung Twsp

By Admin 23 Sep 2024

DMG Newsroom
23 September 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar's military regime has imposed a ban on delivery of medicines to Arakan State's Manaung Township since early this month, according to local residents.

In the past, locals were allowed to carry medicines as needed, but the regime has since completely barred the transport of medicines and is conducting more intensive checks.

Residents say patients with chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure in Manaung Township are suffering due to the junta's ban.

"Not getting the full medication is the same as taking life for chronically ill patients," said a woman with rheumatic fever in Manaung Township.

Residents in Manaung Township are also facing livelihood hardships due to junta bans on fishing and sea travel. Although delivery of medicines has been prohibited, some locals are smuggling them through a system of bribery.

The 50-bed hospital in Manaung has only one assistant doctor and four subordinate healthcare workers, with their jobs made increasingly difficult by the medicine restrictions.

The regime is providing basic food products to Manaung via cargo ships once a month, or sometimes only every two months, but no medicine has been included in these shipments.

One local man said that junta authorities allow emergency patients to travel with recommendation letters signed by ward or village administrators or letters signed by a medical authority, but those who cannot afford the travel costs are nonetheless often out of luck.

In the past, emergency patients were sent to Thandwe and Taungup hospitals for medical treatment, but the Arakkha Army (AA) has taken control of Thandwe and military tensions are running high in Taungup Township, so residents have to travel to Kyaukphyu Town for medical treatment, and face various difficulties in doing so.

Due to these hurdles, some chronically ill patients, pregnant women and those who do not otherwise have access to emergency medical treatment in Manaung Township are dying.

"Patients with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and lung disease need to adhere to complete medication regimens. If they don't take their medicine regularly, it can damage the kidneys and nerves and lead to strokes. In the long run, their lives are in danger," said a doctor in Arakan State.

According to the 2014 Census, Manaung Township had a total population of more than 57,000 people across five urban wards and 36 village-tracts. Many residents make a living by farming, fishing, or both.

The regime has prepared a defence and tightened security in the island town after the AA's seizure of neighbouring Thandwe.