Arakan State IDPs lack proper healthcare due to junta blockade

By Admin 16 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
16 December 2023, Sittwe

Thousands of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Arakan State do not have access to proper healthcare services, with the situation so bad that some are losing their lives due to the junta’s road blockades following the latest hostilities between the military and Arakan Army (AA).

At least 10 IDPs in Kyauktaw, Pauktaw, Rathedaung and Maungdaw townships have lost their lives due to lack of healthcare services since the junta’s road blockades were instituted on November 13, according to DMG’s reporting.

“An IDP woman died half an hour after giving birth to her twins. She died because it was not convenient for her to go to the hospital,” said an IDP woman from Taungminkalar displacement camp in Kyauktaw Township. The incident occurred in the last week of November.

The township Department of Public Health provided healthcare services twice at the displacement camp, which is home to over 500 IDPs, but IDPs no longer receive healthcare services due to the junta’s travel restrictions.

IDPs fleeing the latest fighting and IDPs displaced by previous hostilities that fall ill in the areas where they are taking refuge are dying because of lack of access to necessary medicine and medical professionals, and financial constraints.

A family member said that a 17-year-old boy from Pauktaw who was temporarily taking shelter in a village died on December 14 after one day of constipation and illness.

“If we are at home, we can send the child to the hospital on time and treat him with the necessary medicine. Now, in this village, there is no medicine or money, and many hardships, and the child has lost his life,” she added.

A 35-year-old pregnant woman from Ngatauktuchay Village in Rathedaung, who is taking refuge in Doetan Village in Ponnagyun Township, died while giving birth on December 5.

“She died of pregnancy poisoning as she couldn’t go to the hospital because she couldn’t give birth,” said a local woman.

“Regarding health matters, staff members were instructed to operate as usual,” said an official from the Arakan State Department of Public Health. “Whether or not healthcare services can be provided in rural areas depends on the township-specific department. There may be some difficulties due to the travel restrictions.”

In addition, IDPs are in urgent need of blankets and warm clothes during the winter. With temperatures trending downward this month, it is reported that people suffering from chronic diseases and the elderly in the displacement camps are often sick and coughing.

“As it is getting colder, there will be a lot of negative consequences because the refugees do not have warm clothes. Rather than [being harmed in] fighting, the IDPs are suffering due to the regime’s road blockages,” said a social activist in Arakan State.

IDPs are facing various hardships as the regime has imposed travel restrictions and banned local and international organisations from delivering relief aid to IDPs.