Over 130 healthcare workers killed by regime since coup: UNOCHA

By Admin 14 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
14 December 2024, Mrauk-U

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in Myanmar reported that 131 health workers were killed and 135 others were injured at the hands of the military regime since the 2021 coup.

There were 1,517 attacks against healthcare since the coup, and a total of 333 healthcare facilities were destroyed, according to the UNOCHA report.

Due to the destruction of healthcare facilities, attacks on healthcare workers, shortages of medicines, and a scarcity of skilled healthcare providers, people are struggling to receive the healthcare services they need.

The UNOCHA report predicts greater challenges for women, children, the elderly, the disabled, and those with mental health issues in accessing healthcare services. Displacement and unclean drinking water also contribute to the outbreak of diseases.

UNOCHA said 12.9 million people in Myanmar, mostly in Arakan, Kachin, Kayah (Karenni) and northern Shan states, and Sagaing, Tanintharyi and eastern Bago regions, will need emergency healthcare services next year.

Unable to repulse the resistance attacks, the regime has been deliberately committing war crimes including indiscriminate attacks on residential areas and healthcare facilities.

“It has become a routine of the regime to target civilian healthcare facilities as it can’t win the war. The attacks on healthcare facilities not only harm healthcare workers but also civilians,” said a health worker from Arakan State.

The parallel National Unity Government (NUG) has urged the international community not to ignore the junta’s indiscriminate airstrikes and other actions constituting war crimes, and to take additional punitive measures against the regime.