Junta travel restrictions lead to perilous pregnancies in Arakan State

By Admin 06 Jan 2024

DMG Newsroom
6 January 2024, Sittwe

Pregnant women in rural parts of Arakan State face difficulties giving birth as the regime has imposed travel restrictions amid its fighting with the Arakan Army (AA) since November 13.

Rural residents, including pregnant women, are facing adverse health conditions as the regime imposed its travel restrictions amid a shortage of health workers and medical supplies.

“Even if I give birth in a hospital in an urban area, it is dangerous on the road due to travel restrictions. I am worried that if I give birth in my area, there will be an emergency,” said a pregnant woman in Pauktaw Township.

Some pregnant women have conditions that require a caesarean section for various reasons, and they feel anxious about the time of delivery. Local charities have also stopped operations due to fuel shortages, and civilians are suffering.

“Some pregnant women do not have the right position of the foetus, and if they are such people, they may be instructed to have a C-section after discussing with an obstetrician,” said a female health worker in Kyaukphyu Township. “Some pregnant women may think that the position of the foetus is correct, but there are also risks because they are no longer strong, so it is very important for these people to get to the hospital as soon as possible.”

As a result of the junta blockade of land and water routes, shortages of medicines, lack of regular access to healthcare and lack of regular vaccinations are causing maternal and infant deaths.

A 35-year-old pregnant woman from Ngatauktuchay Village in Rathedaung, who is taking refuge in Doetan Village, Ponnagyun Township, died while giving birth on December 5. A pregnant mother in Taungminkalar IDP camp in Kyauktaw Township died half an hour after giving birth to a twin due to complications in childbirth in the last week of November.

“Even if you go to the town because of something urgent, you can’t easily rent a car or boat because of the fuel shortage and no one dares to send you even if you risk it. Even if patients are sent, they will be checked at checkpoints for a long time before arriving at the hospital,” said a pregnant woman in Kyaukphyu Township.

Pregnant women receive close care in addition to regular healthcare at the hospital for maternal and child health from the time of conception.

Two doses of tetanus vaccine during pregnancy can prevent tetanus disease and infectious diseases that occur during labour and after birth.

“I am eight months pregnant. I haven’t had a single vaccination yet,” said Ma Nandar Win, a pregnant IDP woman from the Ceditaung displacement camp in Rathedaung Township.

Dozens of pregnant women are among at least 160,000 people displaced by fighting between the military and Arakan Army across 14 townships in Arakan State.

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.