As the war gets closer to the capital, a significant number of medical staff have fled from Sittwe General Hospital, causing major shortages of personnel.
A female staff member, who requested anonymity, revealed that Sittwe General Hospital once boasted over 300 doctors and nurses, but the current count has plummeted to a mere 40, posing significant hardships in providing healthcare services to patients.
"Currently, Sittwe only has assistant doctors and nurses, totaling just over 40 staff members.There are no senior doctors left. They are working 24 hours a day,due to the shortage of staff. Private patient care is no longer possible," she said.
She added that the team of over 40 staff working around the clock has become insufficient to provide proper care and treatment to patients.
As daily fighting rages on in Rakhine, districts and townships hosting the Junta’s headquarters and military bases, are gradually succumbing to the Arakan Army (AA), raising fears of possible escalation reaching Sittwe. As a consequence,
government employees, including health workers, are fleeing to safer areas.
"The impact is not limited to health workers in Sittwe; employees across different departments are also absent from work. As conflicts escalate, people are fleeing to Yangon and rural areas for safety. Following the artillery strikes in Sittwe, which claimed casualties, fear gripped the town, prompting many to evacuate. In such situations, nothing is more important than life”, a female employee from a pharmacy told Narinjara.
Sittwe resident Ma Hnin Nwe voiced concerns regarding the shortage of health workers amid the intensifying military situations.
"Artillery shells hitting Sittwe resulted in casualties. While the town is presently peaceful, we harbor concerns about potential shifts in the situation. In the event of any incident, our foremost concern is access to medical care. Unlike before, shortages of medicine and doctors exacerbate our worries. Any unforeseen occurrence is a significant cause for concern”, she said.
Narinjara's attempts to reach out to Rakhine State Junta spokesperson U Hla Thein and Sittwe General Hospital regarding the staff shortage resulting from the departure of numerous staff members were thwarted by closed phone lines, preventing any communication.
A former Pyithu Hluttaw representative (MP) of Kyaukphyu Township also highlighted that both Kyaukphyu and Thandwe hospitals are grappling with understaffing issues.
"In Thandwe and Kyaukphyu, several doctors fled the conflicts to Yangon, some were reassigned by orders, and others took indefinite leave and did not return to work.
In Kyaukphyu, specialists including orthopedic surgeons, otolaryngologists, pediatricians, and psychiatrists have all relocated, alongside junior staff. However due to restrictions preventing rural residents from entering the town, staffing levels remain adequate in Kyaukphyu. The situation is more dire in Sittwe. We are also aware of staffing shortages in Thandwe. Given these circumstances, prioritizing our health becomes increasingly crucial. Any potential incident during this period is deeply concerning”, he explained.
Following AA’s capture of Pauktaw, Rathedaung, and Ponnagyun townships in Sittwe District, numerous government employees, health workers, and residents are fleeing amid concerns of potential conflict spreading to Sittwe. Government employees including health workers from Ann, Kyaukphyu,Thandwe, and Taungup are also relocating to safer areas in the wake of the capture of Ramree Township.
