Myanmar Health Crisis Worsens Amid Junta's Attacks on Healthcare

The dire humanitarian crisis in Myanmar has been severely exacerbated by the military junta's ongoing campaign of terror and destruction targeting healthcare infrastructure, workers, and aid. Since the end of February, the junta has destroyed at least 35 hospitals and clinics across Chin, Mon, Rakhine, and Shan States, and Magwe Region.

Why this matters: The deliberate targeting of healthcare infrastructure and workers has devastating consequences for the entire population, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and those displaced by conflict. If left unchecked, this crisis could lead to a catastrophic collapse of the healthcare system, with far-reaching consequences for regional and global health security.

On April 25, the junta attacked Wammathu Hospital in Chin State, killing four civilians and injuring 15, completely destroying the hospital. In the first three weeks of April, over 80 people died of dysentery ininternment campsin Rakhine State due to poor living conditions, lack of doctors, and medicine. On April 15, the office and pharmacy of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Buthidaung, Rakhine State, were burned down, destroying all available medical supplies.

The junta's attacks have caused rates of infectious disease to soar, forced thousands of doctors to flee or go into hiding, and denied nearly all children access to critical vaccinations. A member of Nway Oo Kyan Mar (Spring Health), a group of Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) healthcare workers in Karenni State, stated, "Only with a stethoscope, only with a syringe, we don't have anything to resist the jet fighters. But we resist very well."

Hundreds of doctors and medical workers in central Myanmar who have resisted the military's administration and joined the CDM have formed humanitarian and medical networks to address the dire needs deep within the country. Local efforts, including the Ethnic Health Systems Strengthening Group (EHSSG), have been working towards an improved, equitable, decentralized healthcare system that serves vulnerable and displaced people countrywide.

The international community has been urged to immediately stop channeling humanitarian assistance through the junta and UN agencies, as this approach has been "dangerously misguided" and has failed to reach those in dire need. Instead, the international community must robustly support frontline responders, including civil society and community-based organizations, directly through locally led cross-border channels.

The Myanmar military junta's attacks on healthcare infrastructure and workers have been ongoing since its failed coup, with complete impunity. The junta'scampaign of terrorand destruction has put millions of human lives at stake, severely exacerbating the dire humanitarian crisis across the country. As the conflict continues, the influx of refugees seeking shelter in neighboring Bangladesh further highlights the severity of the situation in Myanmar.

Key Takeaways

• Myanmar's military junta has destroyed 35+ hospitals and clinics since February.
• Attacks on healthcare infrastructure and workers have devastating consequences for civilians.
• Infectious disease rates are soaring, and thousands of doctors have fled or gone into hiding.
• Local humanitarian efforts are working to establish a decentralized healthcare system.
• International aid should support frontline responders through locally led cross-border channels.