Due to the ongoing military situation, a significant number of staff have left
Sittwe general hospital, leading to a shortage of staff at the hospital.
A female staff member, who preferred not to be named, mentioned that Sittwe
hospital previously had over 300 doctors and nurses. However, the current count
has dwindled to only 40, making it difficult to deliver healthcare services to
patients.
"Currently, Sittwe only has assistant doctors and
nurses. There are no senior doctors left at the hospital. They are working 24
hours a day, due to the shortage of staff. Private patient care is no longer
possible," she added.
With only 40 staff working around the clock, they
cannot offer proper care and treatment to the patients.
As fighting continues in various parts of Rakhine State, the districts
and townships where the junta's headquarters and military bases are located,
are being captured one after another by the Arakan Army (AA) fighters. There is
fear that the fighting will also spread to Sittwe, leading many government
employees, including health workers, to flee to safer places.
"Not only the health workers in Sittwe, but also other employees in other
departments are no longer coming to work. Many people are also fleeing
from Yangon and other localities.
Since artillery shells fell in Sittwe and many people died,
the residents are in fear and many left the town," said a female
employee of a pharmacy.
Ma Hnin Nwe, a resident of Sittwe, voiced concerns
about the shortage of health workers.
"There were casualties due to artillery shells
falling in Sittwe. The town is currently peaceful, but we are worried about the
coming days. If something happens, we have to be concerned about medical
treatment. It's not like before, as there is a shortage of doctors and
medicines," she added.
Narinjara News tried to reach the Rakhine State
military junta spokesperson U Hla Thein and Sittwe general hospital in-charge
regarding the staff shortage due to the departure of a significant number of
employees, but no response was found.
Furthermore, a former Pyithu Hluttaw representative of Kyaukphyu township noted
that Kyaukphyu and Thandwe hospitals are also facing the staff shortage.
"In Thandwe and Kyaukphyu, some doctors fled to
Yangon and some were transferred. Some alsomtook leave and they did not
return to work. In Kyaukphyu, specialized doctors for ear, nose,
throat, children, etc are not available. Many junior staff also left their
jobs. The staff scarcity is observed in Thandwe also," he said.
After the AA fighters captured Pauktaw, Rathedaung and
Ponnagyun townships in Sittwe district, many government employees including
health workers and permanent residents fled in fear of potential conflict
spreading to Sittwe.
The government employees, including health workers, in
Ann, Kyaukphyu, Thandwe, and Taungup townships also start fleeing to safer
locations following the capture of Ramree township.