Prenatal care, medicines lacking for pregnant women at Arakan IDP camps

By Myo Thiri Kyaw 19 Sep 2020

Myo Thiri Kyaw | DMG
19 September, Sittwe

Pregnant women face shortages of medicine at some camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Arakan State amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the expectant mothers in question.

For about a month, pregnant women taking shelter at an IDP camp in the vicinity of Sittwe’s Alodawpyae Pagoda have not had the opportunity to take needed medicines and vitamin supplements, said U Tun Aung Kyaw, the in-charge of the Alodawpyae IDP camp.

“Because the clinic is short of medicines, pregnant women don’t have monthly vitamin supplements and drugs. Mainly, medicines are in short supply. Medical doctors from the clinic replied to us that they cannot serve at the clinic due to the outbreak of COVID-19,” he added.

Some pregnant women with the financial means have purchased drugs, but poor expectant mothers cannot buy necessary medicines, said Daw Win Win Chay from the Alodawpyae camp, who is in the ninth month of her pregnancy.

“Healthcare service is very important for pregnant women. ... However, we don’t have money to buy vitamins and nutritious foods,” she said.

Daw Win Win Chay said pregnant women receive K15,000 (US$11) in monthly cash assistance provided by the government, but the money is not enough to buy medicines after purchasing other goods.

Daw Tin Tin Mya, a pregnant woman from Pyachaunggyi IDP camp in Rathedaung Township, said she believed a medicine shortage there had lasted about three months.

“I don’t know exact information about shortages of medicines. I think we didn’t receive medicines for pregnancy. And I haven’t had a vitamin supplement for this month,” she said.

At Kanhtaunggyi IDP camp in Myebon Township, prenatal care has also been a concern in the coronavirus era, according to Win Hla Aung, the camp in-charge.

“There are more than 20 pregnant women at the camp. We all are worried about their situations. In residing at the IDP camp, they miss the chance to eat nutritious foods,” he said.

An ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 in Arakan State has prevented civil society organisations and other donors from making visits to IDP camps.

“It is necessary to emphasise healthcare for women over other refugees at IDP camps,” said Saw San Nyein Thu, chair of the Rakhine Women’s Initiative Organization. “Especially, it is necessary to grant regular healthcare services for pregnant women.”

She added: “The government needs to take responsibility and accountability for such issues.”

The number of IDPs in Arakan State has surpassed 200,000 due to conflict between the military and the Arakan Army over the past two years, many of whom are in need of food, medicines and other basic provisions.