Maung Sar
Ga
Narinjara
News, 4 May 2024
Many
newborn babies in various Rakhine townships are deprived of vaccination as
there is no adequate supply of vaccines, said local residents.
A health
worker from Kyauktaw township informed that the closure of roads by the junta
forces towards the townships under the control of Arakha Army (AA) leads
to scarcity of vaccines in the hospitals.
"The
vaccines are not available in pharmacies and those are stored in the hospitals
only. The vaccines are distributed to the township hospitals as and when
needed. A proper storage system is installed in the hospitals with a
limited number of vaccines according to the number of local families,"
added the health worker.
The
newborns deserve 12 doses of vaccines after the birth, 2 months, 4
months, 6 months, 9 months, 18 months and so on. These are administered free of
charges.
The
vaccines must be packaged properly and transported with the cold-chain system
to avoid any damage. Under the present transportation restrictions, it becomes
difficult to maintain the cold-chain system effectively.
"My
child was born at an IDP camp and I am worried that there is no vaccine
for the baby. I want my child to grow as a healthy individual. May I urge
the concerned authorities to make it available as early as possible," said
a lady.
According
to the Myanmar health ministry, the complete set of 12 doses of vaccines can
prevent a baby from serious diseases like polio, tuberculosis, diphtheria,
tetanus, haemophilus influenzae, hepatitis B, pneumococcal infections, Japanese
encephalitis, measles, rubella, severe diarrhoea, etc.
A health
worker from Ponnagyun revealed that the vaccinations for newborns will be
administered in May and June.
In Rakhine
State, the Arakha Army (AA) controls several towns like Pauktaw, Minbya,
Myebon, Mrauk-U, Ramree, Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Maungdaw, Paletwa,
etc.
In the
hospitals under these towns, the vaccines for newborns were stored in a
cold-chain system. But now because of the ongoing fighting, it becomes very
difficult to store the vaccines.
During the
intense fighting many hospital staff and health workers fled and now there is
nobody to take care of the vaccines and administer those accordingly.
Since 13
November 2023, the junta forces in Rakhine State have imposed strict blockades
on various land and waterways following renewed clashes with the AA fighters.