Salai Moe Aung, Narinjara News, 2 October 2024

In the flood-affected villages of Minbya Township,Arakan State, the lack of timely prevention and treatment has led to a rise inskin diseases, affecting thousands of local residents.

Inflood-affected villages of Minbya Township, Arakan State, a surge in skindiseases has been observed due to the lack of timely prevention and treatment,affecting thousands of local residents.

Accordingto Ko Henry, a Chin resident from Minbya Township, heavy rains from August 1stto 9th and again from September 10th to 16th led to flash floods and subsequentemergence of skin diseases among adults and children.

"After the flood, when this skin disease firstemerged, there were only ten cases in one village. Now, the numbers are rising.If we combine the Arakanese and Chin villages along the Pan Myaung Gyi creekthat were flooded, there are thousands suffering from skin diseases," hesaid.

“Initially reported as ten cases in onevillage after the flood event, the number has now risen significantly. Acrossthe Arakanese and Chin villages along Pan Myaung Gyi creek that were affectedby flooding, thousands are now suffering from skin diseases,” Ko Henry said.

The villages currently affected by skin diseases inMinbya Township include Daing Thar, Gwa Sone, Htein Pin-Pauk Taw, Shwe Kyin,Pyin Yaung, Nga/Tar, U Pyan Taung, and Chaung To. Previously, around 400 local residents in thesevillages were affected by skin diseases, but now thousands are reported to beimpacted.

The incidence of skin diseases in Minbya Township isincreasing compared to before, but so far, they have not received medicalsupport from any organizations.

Theaffected villages currently include Daing Thar, Gwa Sone, Htein Pin-Pauk Taw,Shwe Kyin, Pyin Yaung, Nga/Tar, U Pyan Taung, and Chaung To. Previouslyimpacting around 400 locals in these areas,the cases have now grown intothousands. However, lack of medical support has been experienced so far.

Consequently, local residents have been using leavesand roots from the forest and mountains for treatment, but there has been nocure.

"It may be due to the difficult communicationroutes. Some people might think this disease is common, but it is occurring inevery village. When you look at its monthly occurrence, it seems linked towater and resembles an infectious disease. Injections are necessary, but Idoubt that one injection will suffice.

There is a shortage of medicine, and what is available isvery expensive. It’s not easy for ordinary people to afford treatment in thissituation, so some are turning to traditional medicine," said a residentof Gwa Sone village in Minbya Township.

Localresidents have resorted to using forest leaves and roots for treatment with nosuccess. The disease appears tied to water, and its monthly occurrence suggestsan infectious nature. Injections seem necessary,but are scarce and expensive,making it difficult for ordinary people to afford proper treatment. Many haveturned to traditional medicine as an alternative solution,said a resident ofGwa Sone village in MinbyaTownship.

Around the third week of August, a skin diseaseoutbreak occurred in a village on Ah Lel Pha Yone Kar Island, Pauktaw Township,where about 130 displaced families were sheltering.

In lateAugust, a skin disease outbreak also occurred in a village on Ah Lel Pha YoneKar Island, PauktawTownship where about130 displaced families were sheltering.

Additionally, at the Pan Ni Lar IDP Camp in PonnagyunTownship, more than 200 internally displaced persons (IDPs), including childrenand the elderly, have been drinking contaminated water since March due to alack of clean drinking water, resulting in the outbreak of skin diseases.

Since the resurgence of fighting in Arakan State, thejunta has blocked all land and waterways, leaving the people of Arakan withoutaccess to food, medicine, and basic necessities.

Additionally,in Pan Ni Lar IDP Camp, PonnagyunTownship, affecting over 200 internallydisplaced persons (IDPs), including children and the elderly due to lack ofclean drinking water since March, resulting in skin disease outbreaks

Recentfighting in Arakan State has compounded the situation: land and waterways havebeen blocked by the junta, resulting in limited access for Arakan people tofood and medicine and basic necessities.