Financial hardship limits access to healthcare in Arakan

By Admin 19 Oct 2026

DMG Newsroom

19 October 2026, Mrauk-U

Financial hardship, a shortage of medical personnel and long distances to hospitals continue to limit access to healthcare in Arakan State, resulting in preventable deaths, including among women giving birth.

In the first week of October, a pregnant woman died during childbirth in Kyiyarpyin Village, Mrauk U Township, according to her family.

The woman, 37-year-old Daw Moe Moe Htay, had been unable to visit a hospital or clinic throughout her pregnancy. She died while giving birth at home with the assistance of a village midwife.

“She couldn’t afford to visit a hospital or clinic during her pregnancy,” said her elder sister, Daw Hla Nu Chay. “She was checked only by the village midwife and gave birth at home. When the placenta failed to detach, we sent her to a nearby hospital. When they transferred her to a major hospital in a funeral hearse, her eyes turned pale, and as soon as we lifted her off the vehicle, she passed away.”

With a consultation costing around K200,000, severe financial hardship prevented Daw Moe Moe Htay from seeking specialised medical care before giving birth.

Local residents also reported critical shortages of qualified doctors and skilled healthcare workers at hospitals and clinics across the state.

“There are frequent cases where patients who underwent surgical procedures at clinics had to have their incisions reopened,” said a local woman in Mrauk U. “When complications fail to heal, some patients even have to travel to India for further treatment. Because this happens to multiple people, I believe it stems from shortcomings among healthcare personnel.”

Meanwhile, ongoing military junta airstrikes targeting hospitals, clinics and public gatherings have left pregnant women and other patients afraid to seek medical treatment.

“With hospitals and clinics being bombed, going to those places feels unsafe, and we feel terrified,” said a pregnant displaced woman taking refuge in Kyauktaw Township. “It is not just us. People across this area will only visit a hospital or clinic as an absolute last resort when faced with health issues.”

Since major fighting broke out in 2023, Arakan State has faced severe military junta blockades on medicines and essential consumer goods, leaving local communities struggling with critical drug shortages.

Although the United League of Arakan (ULA) continues to expand administrative, educational and healthcare services across Arakan State, significant operational and material shortages remain.