Border News Agency
Paletwa, September 16

Local residents in Paletwa Township said that four civilians, including young children, have died due to a dengue fever outbreak in the area under the control of the Arakan Army (AA).

The victims were identified as 9-month-old Maung Htaung Lwan from Maung Village, 9-year-old Maung Buu Naing from Buddha Gama Village, one-year-old Maung Paing Lin Htun from Upper Buddha Gama Village, and 19-year-old Maung Ai Lone Bu from Ko Phay Gyi Village in Paletwa Township.

“The village has very poor transportation and road connections. There is no medicine available at the local clinic, so people rely on traditional herbal remedies for treatment. Earlier in the first week of this month, another infant also died. There is an urgent need for healthcare assistance in Paletwa Township,” a person responsible for the internally displaced persons and humanitarian support group in the Paletwa area told Border News Agency.

Local residents said the victims had been suffering from symptoms such as fever, headaches, nausea, and diarrhea since August, which were caused by a dengue fever outbreak in the area.

They added that the four of them died in the first week of September because they were unable to receive proper medical treatment.

In addition, local residents said that dengue fever has also been spreading in about 10 villages near Maung and Buddha Gama villages in Paletwa Township, and that urgent assistance is needed as many people are unable to afford proper medical treatment due to financial difficulties.

“Although there is a clinic in the village, no health workers are stationed there, it’s never open, and there are no medicines available. For any kind of treatment, we have to travel all the way to Paletwa. With poor transportation and road conditions, we are very worried about emergency patients. There is an urgent need for medical treatment for dengue fever,” a local resident from Paletwa told Border News Agency.

The Arakan Army (AA) fully captured Paletwa Township on January 14, 2024.

However, locals said that since many residents have not yet been able to return to their homes, they are facing numerous hardships and challenges, including difficulties in accessing food, clothing, and shelter.

Locals said that since last year, there have also been deaths in Paletwa Township caused by dengue fever, malaria, and diarrhea.

In addition, Chin Telehealth announced that in June this year, two children under the age of one died after an outbreak of diarrhea occurred in Paletwa Township.