CNI News
31 Dec 2022
Narly one month after the ceasefire in Rakhine State, authorities have green-lighted transportation of medical supplies to the western state, according to the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
After the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army reached a ceasefire deal on 26th November, roads and waterways were reopened but the transportation of important medical supplies to Rakhine State was prohibited.
However, there are some restrictions and permit applications will not be approved as quickly as before, Chairman U Tin Aung Oo of the RSCCI told the CNI.
He told the CNI, "At the moment, the state government has permitted transportation. The started approving the permit applications about a week ago. However, they do not approve the permits immediately. It takes time to approve the permits as they have a large number of applications submitted previously. It takes four to five days to get permits. Checkpoints will allow transportation of medical supplies to Rakhine State if merchants can submit the permits of the border and security minister of the state government."
A pharmacy.
The prices of medicines, which have doubled at present, are likely to fall back soon, according to merchants in the state.
Residents have run out of some medicines and the prices of medicines for children have risen higher than those for adults, according to a Rakhine resident.
He told the CNI, "The current problem in Rakhine State is the shortages of medicines for children. As most medicines for children are liquid, they are transported not only by vehicles but also by sea. However, transportation of children's medicines by sea is still prohibited and it is a problem. Medicines for children which are available at MMK 2,000 per bottle in Yangon are sold at MMK 7,000 here. To put it simply, we feel that it is unfair."
Due to the medicine ban in Rakhine State, children and pregnant women there failed to get vaccines while patients with chronic diseases have to buy their medicines at skyrocketed prices. Hospitals and clinics have run out of antibiotics and some other medicines, according to residents.
As medicines expire after a certain period, it is necessary for authorities to approve transportation permits for medicine as soon as possible, according to medicine merchants, companies and residents.
