Rakhine residents deprived of healthcare facilities as doctors go missing in cottage hospitals

Narinjara News, 26 March 2023

As the doctors remain unavailable in 10 cottage hospitals of various Rakhine townships for many years, local residents have been deprived of basic healthcare facilities and now the people have raised voices for appointing doctors in the government hospitals as soon as possible.

The cottage hospitals, running without doctors, are situated in Pya Tay village under Mrauk U township, U Gar village (two hospitals) and Kutaung village under Rathedaung township, Lwan Lon Pike village , Ngapathon and Kyar Indaung under Maebon township, Kongbon village under Rambree township, Ruu cottage hospital in Ann township and Warbo village under Sittwe township.

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

"With no doctor in the hospital, the emergency patients cannot get their medical attention. Our villagers have to go to Mrauk U district hospital in need. The people can not go to those hospitals easily as there is no land access. They have to depend on waterways,” added the resident.

The hospital in Pya Tay village has only three nurses. 

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

"Our people find it difficult to get healthcare benefits as there is no doctor in the local hospital. The transportation is also difficult as the area is surrounded by water bodies. Many patients have lost their lives on way to the hospital,” he added.

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

They informed that the nearby Kutaung cottage hospital is also functioning without doctors for three months.

A Kongbon village resident also echoed similar views that no doctor was available in their village hospital for about three years.

"If there is a doctor, the patients will get an advantage during an emergency in the hospital,” he added.

There is no doctor in Ruu cottage hospital too for four months. Residents of over ten villages are dependent on this hospital and now there are facing difficulties in healthcare opportunities.

As there is no doctor in district hospitals, residents have to travel by land and water ways for medical treatments and they have to spend more money to get medical attention.

Ruu cottage hospital, opened in 2013, had four doctors on duty, but currently there is no doctor.

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

Local residents demand for appointing doctors in the cottage hospitals across Rakhine State at the earliest.

Narinjara News tried to get feedback from Rakhine State public health department over the matter, but it turned futile.