Mrauk-U in need of more healthcare workers

By Myo Thiri Kyaw 05 Oct 2020

Myo Thiri Kyaw | DMG
5 October 2020, Sittwe

As regional COVID-19 infection rates continue to rise, Arakan State’s Mrauk-U District is in need of more healthcare workers, according to local health officials.

Dr. Than Tun Oo, the medical officer for Kyauktaw Township, said the number of COVID-19 patients had increased to 94, adding that more healthcare workers would be needed if infection rates continue to rise.

“So far, we have enough staff. However, we have fewer numbers of volunteers, like in other townships,” the doctor said. “We don’t have enough workers who are taking swabs in some areas and face difficulties due to the instability in those places. These days, healthcare workers will be in short supply everywhere.”

Dr. Than Tun Oo said there are 47 healthcare workers at Kyauktaw Hospital and two from the nongovernmental organisations Myanmar Health Assistant Association (MHAA) and Relief International (RI), which are rendering assistance.

One severe coronavirus patient from Kyauktaw Township was transferred to Sittwe Hospital but the conditions of the rest of the patients are good, sources said.

A COVID-19 patient from Kyauktaw Hospital said not a single healthcare worker has visited him since the first day he tested positive for the disease.

“I have to do things by myself,” he said. “Taking blood pressure and body temperatures have to be done by myself. And then take records. What I would like to say is not everyone can do things like that. When there are those who have no idea how to do things like that, the data can be wrong. So, I want the health workers to do these jobs,”

Mrauk-U Township medical officer U Myo Hlaing said they have enough healthcare workers at the moment even though the number of COVID-19 infected patients has increased to 174 in the township.

“So far, we have enough staff. I would like to ask everyone to follow the principles and guidance if they don’t want healthcare workers to meet difficulties,” he said.

Myebon Township medical officer U Kyaw Sein Hla said the number of COVID-19 cases are fewer in his township due to public compliance with directives issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports.

“We have only two cases. It is because the people follow the guidelines. We can say like this,” he told DMG.

“In Pauktaw, we have 23 patients and four severe patients have been given oxygen,” said Pauktaw Hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr. Ko Ko Aung.

“There can be difficulties if there are more than 50 COVID-19 patients,” he added.

Most of the infected patients are in good condition. Prognoses are worse in those with pre-existing conditions and the elderly, the healthcare workers said.

In Arakan State, there were 1,889 COVID-19 positive patients as of October 5, from which more than 1,300 had been discharged from hospitals. Six patients have died, according to the state health department.