Border News Agency
Paletwa, September 18.

Local residents in Paletwa say that healthcare services are urgently needed in areas under the control of the Arakan Army (AA).

They report that since the first week of September, several people, including children, have died in the Paletwa region due to dengue fever, diarrhea, malaria, and other illnesses, creating an urgent need for medical assistance.

In addition, locals explained that there has long been a shortage of healthcare workers in Paletwa. After the military coup, many staff joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), and government operations came to a halt, further worsening the situation.

As a result, residents say that emergency healthcare support is critically needed in the area.

“There are challenges due to insufficient medical supplies. Healthcare services are the most urgently needed, and groups that can provide medicines and support are also required. Because of difficult transportation and the local conditions, doctors and skilled healthcare workers are urgently needed,” said Salai Bwe Shein from the Paletwa IDPs and Humanitarian Supporting group to Border News Agency.

They added that before the final battles of the Arakan war, medicines were brought into the Paletwa region from Rakhine. However, after the fighting began, the military junta blocked roads and transport routes, leading to shortages of medicines.

In some villages of the Paletwa region, there are clinics, but due to the lack of medicines and healthcare staff, they remain closed. As a result, only those who can afford it travel to other places for treatment in emergency situations, according to reports.

They also said that when people travel for medical care, travel expenses often exceed the cost of medicines. Difficult transportation and poor road access mean that some emergency patients die on the way before receiving treatment.

“The roads are in poor condition, so cars and motorcycles cannot be used. In such cases, people have to walk on foot. Even for minor illnesses, many don’t go to clinics because the journey is difficult and financial constraints exist. Only in life-threatening situations do they attempt to travel, but some die before reaching a hospital or clinic,” a resident of Paletwa told Border News Agency.

The Arakan Army has maintained full control over Paletwa Township since January 14, 2024.

In the area, the Arakan Army, the Paletwa Council, and Chin healthcare groups reportedly provide medical assistance and support to locals about once a month.

However, residents say that due to a shortage of medicines and the absence of skilled healthcare workers, only basic illnesses such as common fevers can be treated.

“The AA and the Paletwa Council provide healthcare services, but they can only treat common illnesses like simple fevers. For more serious diseases, they cannot provide treatment due to a lack of medicines and qualified medical personnel. Even the healthcare workers trained within the armed groups can only handle basic fevers,” a Paletwa resident told Border News Agency.

In Paletwa, there is an urgent need for international humanitarian assistance to provide medicines, skilled healthcare workers, and emergency response services to protect patients’ lives. Displaced people in the conflict-affected areas are also struggling with food and basic necessities.

In the first week of September, four people, including an infant, died in Paletwa Township due to dengue fever.

Local residents say that last year in Paletwa Township, several people also died from dengue fever, malaria, and diarrhea.

In addition, Chin Telehealth reported that in June this year, two children under the age of one died in Paletwa Township due to diarrhea.