Emergency patients in militarily intense Arakan State are facing challenges to blood when needed due to the dwindling number of active social aid organizations. As a result, patients’ families have to personally search for blood donors.
Social aid organizations in various Arakan’s townships are struggling to continue their work due to displacement caused by the fighting, rising fuel prices and other reasons. Most of them have stopped their relief operations, according to those involved in social work.
Since the social aid groups are unable to work, it is difficult for emergency patients to receive medical treatment and donate blood when they urgently need it.
A social worker in Arakan State said: “We have fewer social support groups now, and local people are struggling in many ways. As there are no more regular blood donors, patients’ families have to look for blood themselves.”
Hospitals used to have blood banks with regular donors and special donation events. Currently, blood donors are forced to flee safer places due to displacement caused by local conflicts. This has led to difficulties for patients in emergency situations.
A husband of a maternity patient from the Ponnagyun Township said: “We used to be able to buy blood with money. Now we have to go door to door asking for blood donations. We ask acquaintances, households and even strangers. Anyone who has looked for blood during this time knows how difficult it is”
Last month, a pregnant woman in the Pauktaw Township needed blood after giving birth, but was could not receive a transfusion in time and had to be provided emergency treatment, according to a family member.
“We had been looking for type B blood since the morning but couldn’t find it until the evening when we finally managed to give her a transfusion,” the family said.
In the conflict-ridden state of Arakan, there are many patients who need blood due to mine explosions, airstrikes, artillery shelling and childbirth cases.
An official of a social welfare group said, “Without social welfare groups like before, it is very difficult for the locals. It is not only difficult to get blood but also other necessary things. There is no one to do the work. When something happens in a town, these social aid groups used to help. Now that these groups no longer exist, it is very difficult for the remaining locals”
The military junta, which is facing battlefield losses in Arakan State, has often targeted hospitals and clinics with airstrikes, which is a major problem for the locals who need medical treatment.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG)