Kantarawaddy Times
In western Dee Maw Hso township, karenni state, within the Daw Ta Ngu village tract, internally displaced people (IDPs) in Kyun Pin Kone (2) camp have been suffering from the effects of flooding and armed conflict. For over three months, both children and adults have been experiencing widespread skin diseases, yet they lack adequate medical supplies, according to a displaced woman who spoke with Kantarawaddy Times.
“The severe skin irritation and relentless itching make it difficult for us to sleep at night. My niece is suffering from a widespread skin disease, and I fear for her life as the infection continues to spread across her entire body. The sores on her head and legs are not minor; they are deeply concerning,” said the mother of an affected child.
For the past three months, those suffering from skin diseases have been receiving free treatment at the nearest KNA medical clinic. However, due to insufficient medicine, the conditions of affected children have not improved.
“The disease has not completely disappeared, even with medication. While some individuals recover fully, many others continue to suffer from recurring symptoms. The treatment does not appear to be effective for everyone. I believe the condition may be linked to blood type, as not all members of the same household are affected,” explained a volunteer medic assisting the patients.
Those affected by the skin disease include children under eight years old and adults over forty. Many IDPs also struggle to afford the necessary medicine, the medic added.
“People who were already here don’t seem to be as affected. But those who recently arrived from the eastern part of Loikaw have a much higher infection rate. Some of them have such severe sores on their hands that they’re difficult to look at. In some cases, we’ve had to send patients to the clinic,” she said.
The Kyun Pin Kone (2) IDP camp hosts displaced people who began arriving in November 2024, including those from eastern Loikaw, Saw Kee Daw, Htee Ngar Yar, and Dee Maw Hso areas. The camp consists of 40 households, sheltering more than 100 people.