Maungtaw hospital opens to all around the clock

November 15, 2016

Maungtaw Hospital has been providing healthcare services to local residents around the clock but field trips to patients in rural areas have been hampered by security situation at present, according to a surgeon at the hospital.

“I am a surgeon and medical superintendent of the hospital and we have a physician, an anesthetist, four assistant surgeons and 18 nurses. Doctors are providing services to patients around the clock. We are all on call and thus are always available any time they call us,” said Dr Soe Aung Than, from the hospital.

The government provides medicines and other needs of the hospital.

“Medicines and equipment are provided by the Ministry of Health. We are treating all patients regardless of their race or religion,” he added, saying that the hospital is always open to all, even during the violent attacks on 9th October. However, we someties have to tell patients’ families to buy some medicines that we do not have. That rarely happens as we are trying to provide healthcare services as much as we can by ourselves,” the surgeon said.

Common diseases in the area include tuberculosis and hypertension. Children often suffer from respiratory infections. However, the hospital has had to provide care for bullet and knife wounds recently, according to the surgeon.

In addition to providing medical care at the hospital, it also refers patients who are in critical condition to hospitals in Sittway and Yangon.

The hospital has also set up points for rural areas such as Alethankyaw, Ngakhuya, Thayetoke, Tamantha and Taungpyoletwe Villages where health assistants, nurses and midwives are stationed to provide healthcare services.

However, the health staff are sent to such points only when security is ensured.
“We also give the same treatment to injured people who are accused of crimes,” the surgeon added.
The medical staff of the hospital hope to deliver medical care to rural areas as soon as security in the region has been restored.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar