Death of Pauktaw man with HIV blamed on medicine shortage

By Admin 15 Jul 2025

DMG Newsroom

15 July 2025, Pauktaw

Locals say a man with HIV from Pyaing Taung Village in Arakan State's Pauktaw Township has died due to a shortage of antiretroviral drugs (ART).

The man had been facing a shortage of ART drugs since early this year and died on July 9.

"Before he died, his hair started falling out in clumps. I don't know why. Last year, his family bought medicine for him in Kyauktaw. It is known that he has been short of medicine since early this year," said a local woman.

HIV patients must take antiretroviral drugs continuously, and if they do not take their medications regularly, they can develop conditions such as weakened immune system, depression, and memory loss, which can even lead to death.

Previously, ART was provided free of charge and easily available at township health departments in Arakan State, but the military regime has blocked access to Arakan State, resulting in shortages of the drug.

At least four HIV patients have died in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Manaung and Pauktaw townships in Arakan State as a result of the shortage of ART, according to data collected by DMG.

"There are many patients who should not have died due to the shortage of medicines. Especially those who died of chronic diseases," said a social activist in Arakan State. "Something should be done about these people who use regular medicines. If these medicines continue to be in short supply, there could be more deaths."

In January, the Public Health Department of the Arakan Army/United League of Arakan (AA/ULA) distributed free ART and tuberculosis (TB) drugs in Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Mrauk-U, Pauktaw and Minbya townships, but people in remote villages are often unable to access the drugs.

According to sources close to the AA's Public Health Department, there were more than 2,000 HIV/AIDS patients and about 4,000 TB patients in Arakan State as of 2023.