Arakan philanthropic organisation faces financial difficulties as free clinic costs rise

By DMG 24 Jun 2021

DMG Newsroom
24 June 2021, Sittwe

The Shwe Karuna Foundation, which provides free medical treatment to cataract and kidney patients in Arakan State, is facing financial difficulties, according to foundation officials.

Monthly costs for the Shwe Karuna free clinic, run by the Shwe Karuna Foundation, total nearly K10 million, said U Maung San Shwe, the foundation’s treasurer.

“The monthly cost of the Shwe Karuna free clinic is almost 10 million kyats. Donors are needed because of the increasing number of patients and the rising cost of medicines,” he added.

The Shwe Karuna clinic is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., providing free healthcare services to patients.

Daw Than Shwe, a nurse in charge of the Shwe Karuna clinic, said that in the past, there was no kidney dialysis centre in Arakan State. The Shwe Karuna clinic now offers dialysis treatment, she added.

“There are no major job difficulties, but patients have financial difficulties. Patients with kidney disease have to be tested twice a week and pay 35,000 kyats for each test. Some patients die because they cannot afford it,” she said.

The kidney dialysis centre was opened at the Shwe Karuna free clinic in late 2019. It was originally envisioned as a free-of-charge medical service, but due to financial constraints, kidney patients still have to pay for the treatment.

“I have diabetes so I have to come to this clinic once a week. The doctors here are very friendly. My health has improved,” said U Oo Ba Kyaw, a resident of Bawlone Kwin ward in Sittwe.

The Shwe Karuna free clinic was opened by Dr. Moe Kyaw, an ophthalmologist, with 25 members of the organisation providing free healthcare services to patients.