By Somila Khanna | Programmes Officer
This report coincides with two key events: World Human Rights Day (10th December 2022) and the upcoming anniversary ofthe coup in Myanmar (1st Feb 2023). Health workers are still targets of the military regime in Myanmar, which hinders not only peoples’ human right to life and protection, but also the exercise of the right to healthcare.
Armed conflict affects civilians, patients, and healthcare workers (HCW) in a variety of ways. According to Insecurity Insight there have been over 135 raids on hospitals since the start of the coup.Due to the danger associated with providing healthcare services under the military regime,GPs and other HCWs have closed their clinics. This has resulted in a shortage of access to healthcare services.
Below is a translated account of aHCW in Pe Kon, the Southern Shan State. The HCW describes the difficulty in accumulating blood donations and administering blood transfusionsto assist patients undergoing emergencies caused by the conflict.
“It’s difficult looking for living donors for transfusions needed for emergency patients, especially patients who have been affected during the armed conflicts. Till now, we have provided over 250 transfusion treatments. Most of our patients are injured during armed conflicts, and some blood donors cannot take enough rest after blood donation.” This health worker notes that there have been many challenges in getting Blood Safety Determine tests, (due to transportation difficulties) as most of the donated blood is brought by the People’s Defence Force.Yet, on-ground staff find it difficult to meet the demands of the supply to the blood donors sufficiently. People on the ground, as noted by the HCW are resourceful; whilst the lab room is quite narrow (12-18 ft) and there is no dedicated space for taking blood from the donors, HCWs still persevere and make it work.
They ended their statement by saying “even though we have many challenges on the ground, we can save lives.”
It is with your generosity and determined support that THET can fund and assist HCWs on the ground and continue its mission to bring health equity to all. This also ensures that the fundamental human right to healthcare is not forgotten, and that the wellbeing of HCWs is prioritised.
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