CNI News
9 Dec 2022
Although roads and waterways have been reopened after a ceasefire deal was reached between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, residents in Rakhine State are still running out of medical supplies as truck drivers and freight services have refused to transport them, according to medicine merchants in Rakhine State.
The Rakhine State Administration Council has not officially announced that medical supplies have been permitted to transport to Rakhine State and as a result, freight services are still refusing to carry medical supplies to Rakhine State, Chairman U Tin Aung Oo of Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry told the CNI.
He told CNI, "Freight services have refused to carry medical supplies. They said they would transport medical supplies if we provided permits. Otherwise, they would not carry medical supplies because authorities have not informed them of the permission to do so. They were worried that medical supplies might be seized on the way. So, they have not handled medical supplies to be transported to Rakhine State. Therefore, Rakhine residents are still running out of medical supplies.
After fighting resumed between the military and the AA, the Rakhine State Administration Council prohibited transporting medical supplies to Rakhine and between townships in the state, according to medicine companies.
Due to shortages of medical supplies in Rakhine State, medicine traders and companies called on the Rakhine State Administration Council for transportation of medicines to Rakhine State through the RSCCI but authorities have not responded to the request.
As officials have not officially announced restrictions on medical supplies have been lifted, truck drivers have refused to carry them without the approval of the health department, Ko Maung Maung Tun, a truck driver plying between Muangtaw and Taungpyo Letwe, told the CNI.
He said, "There are many restrictions on transportation of medical supplies. So, no truck driver dares to transport medical supplies. We can transport medicines in Rakhine State, if they provide approvals of the health department.
As there are shortages of medical supplies in Rakhine State, medicine prices in the state have risen three times and there are many puerpera and infants who have not been vaccinated against diseases.
