“Theregime’s policy of stoppingmedicine access for the AA,punishing ordinary civilians”

NarinjaraNews, April 7,2023

The Military Council has enforced a ban on the importationof medicines to Rakhine State for over eight months now, ostensibly tohinder the Arakan Army (AA) from obtainingmedical supplies.

However pharmacies and social activists in the region have reported that the ban has had hurt ordinary civilians far more than theAA.

Despite a ceasefire with the AA that has lasted for almostfive months, the Military Councilis still imposing a strict ban on the importation of medicines to Rakhine State from other regions, as it is fearfulthat the AA may gain access to the medicalsupplies.

To ensure that the people of Rakhine State have access toessential medications, the MilitaryCouncil should cancel its previous ban on drug importation and re-authorize the importation of pharmaceuticals intothe region, a social activist in Sittwe Township,who did not want to be named told Narinjara.

“TheMilitary Council’sintention behind the drug importation ban is evident. They aim toprevent the AA from receiving access to medicines. It is clear that theyhave no regard for the well-beingof the local population. Since the ceasefire has been in place for a considerable period of time, the authorities shouldlift the ban and allow thereimportation of medicines”, he said.

The importation of medicine into Rakhine State has beenrestricted by the Military Councilsince the resumption of fighting between it and AA in August 2022. The ban has resulted in drug shortages inpharmacies across every township.

“I am constantly experiencing medicine shortages, which hasled me to purchase certain typesof medicine in advance and maintain a stock. Unfortunately owing to financial constraints, I am onlyable to purchase a three-month supply of medicine in advance”, a pharmacy owner from Ponnagyun Township toldNarinjara.

According to pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy owners,an official statement from theMilitary Council has announced restrictions on the import of medicine to Rakhine State.

Checkpoints are being set up repeatedly along the route,further limiting the flow ofmedical supplies to the region.

Pharmacy owners are reporting delays in receivingpre-ordered medicines due to suchmultilateral sanctions and inspections, there are almost constantly shortagesof medication in the market.

According to some medicine importers, in order to transportmedication freely, they arerequired to obtain a certificate of approval from the Minister of Security and

Border Affairs of the Rakhine State government. Butobtaining this certificate may involvepaying a bribe of up to 3 million kyats.

However Narinjara could not independently confirm thevalidity of that claim.

A pharmacy owner said, “ We are unable to obtain the approval certificate from the Ministry of Security and BorderAffairs. The cost of obtaining the certificate is prohibitively high and beyond our financial means. Thoseoperating with limited capitalhave no hope of obtaining such certificate.”

A company employee, who requested anonymity, has revealedthat pharmaceutical companiesoperating in Sittwe face huge obstacles.

“Weneed to transport medicines toremote rural areas via Sittwe using trucks. However our trucks are frequently stopped and inspected at checkpoints intownships such as Kyauktaw and Mruak-U. Unfortunatelytransporting medicines by truck is prohibited, and the trucks headed for

Mrauk-U are not permitted to carry large cardboard boxes ofmedicine. Consequently

we are facing multiple operational difficulties”, heexplained.

Sources close to the healthcare sector have reported thateven if they want to transportmedicines approved by the Ministry of Health, there are unnecessary delays in transporting medicines due to thebureaucratic and time-consuming process ofobtaining permission.

Narinjara attempted to contact Colonel Kay Thura, theMinister of Security and Border Affairsof the Rakhine State government, on multiple occasions regarding these issues, but did not receive anyresponse.

As a result of these limitations, the cost ofpharmaceuticals in Rakhine State is

steadily increasing.

Photo: A checkpoint operated by the Military Council duringa rigorous inspection in

Kyauktaw Township in March 2023

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