Malaria, dengue fever deaths rise in remote Minbya area amid healthcare shortages

By Admin 08 Jul 2026

DMG Newsroom

8 July 2026, Minbya

At least five people have died from malaria and dengue fever during this year's rainy season in the Phonthachaung area of Minbya Township, Arakan State, an area controlled by the Arakan Army (AA).

Local residents said mosquito-borne diseases have increased during the rainy season, while limited access to healthcare has contributed to the fatalities.

“Most cases occur in the upper reaches of the river. Some patients die before they can reach a hospital or clinic. As far as I know, about three or four people have died. There have been deaths from both malaria and dengue fever,” a local resident told DMG.

The Phonthachaung area is remote and surrounded by dense forests and mountains, where mosquito populations increase significantly during the rainy season. Malaria and dengue fever outbreaks occur there almost every year.

Residents say inadequate transportation, a shortage of hospitals and clinics, and limited access to healthcare remain major challenges in the area.

In medical emergencies, residents must travel about four hours by motorboat to reach Minbya Town, and some patients die before receiving treatment.

With malaria and dengue cases increasing, local residents are urging authorities to provide emergency healthcare services.

“The United League of Arakan and Arakan Army provide health awareness programmes. But what our region really needs are health workers, hospitals, clinics and medicines. When people become ill, we want timely access to medical treatment as soon as possible,” another resident of Phonthachaung said.

Malaria and dengue fever are common during the rainy season in Arakan State, and the Arakan Army's Department of Public Health has been providing healthcare services in some rural areas.

However, residents say healthcare coverage in remote communities remains inadequate and are calling on the United League of Arakan (ULA) to expand medical services, including the deployment of healthcare workers and the supply of essential medicines.