Ponnagyun businessmen forced to make donations for Tatmadaw’s free medical service

Narinjara News, 3 February 2023

The businessmen in Ponnagyun township of Rakhine State are being forced to make donations to a Tatmadaw run mobile medical team for buying necessary medicines to distribute among the Ponnagyun residents free of cost.

The commander of the Ponnagyun-based 550th tactical operation command in western region recently called some 20 local businessmen and pressurised them to donate money for their mission. The 30 January meeting was convened with the intention to ensure donations from the businessmen, said a participant, who wanted anonymity.

“The military commander demanded monetary donations from the businessmen over the forthcoming visit of a Tatmadaw mobile medical team to Ponnagyun. The donations will be used for buying medicines for the benefit of local people. We had no choice but to offer donations,” he added.

The Myanmar military council claimed that it would provide free healthcare facilities, but such kind of collections are contradictory as the local businessmen have been compelled to pay money to the military authority.

“Some people were ready to contribute the amount as it is aimed to offer free medical aids to the people. But many questioned the process as the military was earning a good name with the money of businessmen,” said a Ponnagyun resident.

Initially the military personnel asked only a few selected individuals to pay the donations. Later it expanded to all the businessmen.

Another local resident expressed dismay that the militaries were trying to earn a reputation with the public money.

Mentionable is that those who want to receive medical support from the Tatmadaw mobile medical team should register their names in advance.
Criticism has grown against the military council for their initiative to collect donations from businessmen and then supports the local people.

On 22 January, the Tatmadaw mobile medical team visited Rar Maung Hall in Minbya township and also treated many local families, but the date for Ponnagyun residents is yet to be declared.