Due to the renewed conflicts in Rakhine State, the
junta has restricted both land and waterways and it has created problems for
the pregnant women as well as other ailing persons in accessing necessary
healthcare services.
A pregnant woman, who sought refuge in a village from
Dhamma Yone IDP camp of Rathedaung township, expressed serious concern
that she has not received vaccines because of closed roads to the clinic.
"How can I get the vaccine? As the road
remains closed, I can't move to reach the clinic. Now it's very difficult for
me to even arrange a good meal," she explained.
A woman from the camp said that because of the closed roads
all the pregnant women from Kyauk Ta Lone Muslim IDP camp in Kyaukphyu township
are still deprived of necessary medical attention. In case of childbirth, they
have to depend on local midwives.
"If a child is born, it's solely helped by a
local midwife. Those who used to visit the clinic every month, have now
stopped doing so. There is no availability of medicines related to pregnancy
complications. They are allowed to go to Kyaukphyu hospital in case of a
medical emergency," she added.
On 17 December, a pregnant woman from Aung Taing village
under Sittwe Township, had to cross a checkpoint to reach the Sittwe public
hospital. Suddenly the woman felt an emergency and she gave birth to a baby at
home only.
"She was taken to Sittwe hospital at around 4 am.
All the passengers were scrutinized at the checkpoint and it took time. Finally
the woman could not reach the hospital on time,” she stated.
Another pregnant woman from Nget Chaung Muslim IDP
camp emphasized that they should be allowed to move on time. Earlier, the
representatives of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) used to offer treatment and
even vaccinations every month. Now they have left because of the conflicts.
The gun fights between the Arakan Army (AA) members
and junta forces have continued in Rakhine State since 13 November and
since then the junta has blocked all the public routes.
During the night of 6 December, a 40-year-old pregnant
woman, who left Nga Tauk Tu Chay village under Rathedaung township to take
refuge at Doe Tan old village under Ponna Kyunt township, died before arriving
in the hospital. She gave birth in the house where she was staying and faced
serious medical complications.
Because of the roadblocks, the prices of essential
commodities including the life saving medicines have increased in the Rakhine
region, which has caused significant hardships to the general population,
especially the pregnant women.