NarinjaraNews, 26 March 2023

Asthe doctors remainunavailable in 10 cottagehospitals of various Rakhine townships for many years,local residents have been deprived of basic healthcare facilities and nowthe people have raised voices for appointing doctors in thegovernment hospitals as soon as possible.

The cottage hospitals, runningwithout doctors, are situated in PyaTay village under Mrauk U township, U Gar village (twohospitals) and Kutaung village under Rathedaung township, LwanLon Pike village , Ngapathon and Kyar Indaung under Maebon township,Kongbon village under Rambree township, Ruu cottage hospital in Anntownship and Warbo village under Sittwe township.

Aresident of Pya Tay village revealed that there has been no doctor in theirvillage hospital for more than two years now.

"With no doctor inthe hospital, the emergency patients cannot get their medicalattention. Our villagers have to go to Mrauk Udistrict hospital in need. The people can not go to thosehospitals easily as there is no land access. They have to dependon waterways,” added the resident.

The hospital inPya Tay village has only three nurses. 

A young resident of Ugar villagealso said that there is no doctor in their cottage hospital for more than twoyears and the villagers have to travel a long way to meet a doctor.

"Ourpeople find it difficult to get healthcare benefits as there is no doctorin the local hospital. The transportation is also difficult as the area issurrounded by water bodies. Many patients have lost their lives on way to thehospital,” he added.

Since thehospital was opened in 2020, residents of at least 30villages depend on the hospital, but it is run bythe nurses only. With more to it, there is only onesenior nurse in the hospital.

Theyinformed that the nearby Kutaung cottage hospital is also functioning withoutdoctors for three months.

A Kongbon villageresident also echoed similar views that no doctor was availablein their village hospital for about three years.

"Ifthere is a doctor, the patients will get an advantage during an emergency inthe hospital,” he added.

There is no doctor in Ruucottage hospital too for four months. Residents of overten villages are dependent on this hospital and now thereare facing difficulties in healthcare opportunities.

As there is no doctor indistrict hospitals, residents have to travel by land and water waysfor medical treatments and they have to spend more money to getmedical attention.

Ruu cottage hospital, opened in2013, had four doctors on duty, but currently thereis no doctor.

No doctor is available in Warborural hospital of Sittwe township too for more than 4 years.

Localresidents demand for appointing doctors in the cottage hospitals across RakhineState at the earliest.

Narinjara News tried to getfeedback from Rakhine State public health department overthe matter, but it turned futile.