Local residents have reported experiencing health issues because of a scarcity of medication in Maungdaw, Thandwe, and Taungup Townships in Arakan State, where intense fighting is occurring.
Due to the closure of hospitals, clinics, and drug stores in Thandwe, people are unable to access even basic household medicine, a local said.
“Not a single pharmacy is open in the town. We can still buy food because the remaining small grocery stores are open, but we can’t buy any medicine. We have no way to get medicine even if we have a fever,” said a local from Thandaw.
As heavy fighting continues near Thandwe town, many residents have evacuated to safety, leaving approximately 1,000 people still in the town coping with numerous challenges.
As the military council has blocked the road to Thandwe Township, those fleeing from their homes are also find it difficult to with get food and medicine.
Since the first week of June, residents of Taungup Township, where there has been fighting and escalating tension, have been experiencing a shortage of medicine due to the military council’s blockade on entry and exit from the area.
“Some of the remaining pharmacies in the town are still open, but they are out of stock. We cannot buy the necessary medicines. Now, it is really worrying for the the health of the remaining people in the town,” said a local resident from Taungup.
Following the battles in Taungup, tens of thousands of locals have fled to safety. However, about a third of the population remains trapped in the town due to the military council’s restrictions on movement.
In addition, there is also a shortage of medicine in Maungdaw Township, where the AA is waging a battle to capture the town. Locals are facing health challenges because Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which provides healthcare, has also ceased operations.
“There is no healthcare if we are injured. We cannot find any medicine. We might face a life-threatening situation due to health emgergencies,” said a local from Maungdaw.
The military council has been bombing hospitals and clinics in areas controlled by the AA (Arakan Army). Despite this, the AA has made efforts to ensure that these regions have access to healthcare services.
The hospitals in Sittwe, Ann, Kyaukphyu, Gwa, and Manaung Townships, which are under the control of the military council, are operational. However, patients are facing difficulties due to shortages of medicine and the departure of healthcare staff from the area.
Since the beginning of the fighting, the military council has blocked roads in Arakan State, disrupting the flow of goods and affecting the daily social life of the local people.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG)
