By Kantarawaddy Times
Despite having a substantial population, Hpasawng Township in Karenni State faces a severe shortage of medical professionals, making access to healthcare extremely difficult for local residents.
Residents of the Mawchee area within Hpasawng Township have voiced their urgent need for medical services, emphasizing the necessity of healthcare facilities and professionals.
” We urgently need doctors and a functioning clinic in Mawchee. It is a critical necessity. Having medical facilities and trained healthcare professionals would significantly improve access to care. Even if medical expenses are high, it would still be more convenient. Right now, if we have to go as far as Mae Set (in Mawchi Township), the travel cost alone is around 1 million kyats, which makes it even more expensive,” a local resident explained.
In Mawchee, many low-income workers struggle to afford medical care and general healthcare costs, according to residents.
The people of Hpasawng Township, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and rural villagers, must travel to local clinics, township hospitals, or even Mae Set and Thailand for medical treatment, depending on their condition. Some also travel as far as Taunggyi and Yangon for treatment. The additional travel expenses, along with other costs, create a heavy burden for those in need of healthcare.
Since the start of military clashes in February 2024, many locals have been forced to flee their homes. Additionally, there are no doctors available to perform surgeries on injured soldiers, said Saw Thet San, the General Secretary of the Karenni National Solidarity Organization (KNSO/White Star).
“We urgently need a general physician. It’s a township hospital, but there are no doctors, which is a big problem. In the frontline areas near Hpasawng, where battles are taking place, there are no doctors available either. This means that all patients, even those with minor injuries, must be transported elsewhere If trained surgeons were available locally, we could provide immediate medical interventions and only refer critical patients to other facilities. However, due to the current shortage, even minor cases must be transferred to Thailand. This makes things very difficult,” said Saw Thet San.
According to residents, some people in Hpasawng Township have lost their lives due to delays in receiving medical treatment. However, Karenni State authorities have not been able to compile an exact number of such cases.
As of the 2019 census, Hpasawng Township had a population of exceeding 23,000.
