Kachin State, which was attacked by airstrikes on June 2, Shweku Township City Hospital
Mizzima
Insecurity Insight has identified 418 incidents of violence against or obstruction of health care in Myanmar during 2023, for the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC).
This compared to 280 incidents of violence against or obstruction of health care in 2022.
In 2023, 37 health workers were killed and 102 health workers were arrested. Health facilities were damaged or destroyed, and occupied. This was similar to the numbers killed in 2022, but kidnappings of health workers quadrupled in 2023 when compared to 2022.
Health workers were threatened and harassed by conflict parties, including being warned by resistance fighters that they must join the CDM, while facing the risk of being targeted with violence or arrested by the Myanmar armed forces for doing so.
Cases of health facilities being occupied by the Myanmar military, militia, and other allies more than tripled in 2023 compared to 2022. Most involved the Myanmar armed forces using health facilities as bunkers or bases for military operations. These occupations were most frequent in Sagaing region, but were dispersed across 12 other areas.
Opposition forces increasingly used drones armed with explosives to attack Myanmar armed forces occupying health facilities.
Most cases were recorded in the northern central areas surrounding the cities of Sagaing and Mandalay, and where Sagaing, Magway, and Mandalay regions border one another, reflecting the overall concentration of fighting in these areas where opposition groups ’resistance to military rule is high, according to Insecurity Insight.
It said that incidents also occurred in Shan state bordering Sagaing and Mandalay, especially after Operation 1027. Cases adversely affecting health care also continued in Rakhine State.
Similar to previous years, most incidents were attributed to the Myanmar armed forces. Ethnic armed organisations that included the Arakan Army, the Chinland Defense Force, the Karen National Liberation Army, and Pyi-thu-sit, Pyu-saw-htee, and Swan-arr-shin militias were named in some incidents, but less often than the Tatmadaw.
As in previous years, incidents mostly affected staff working for the national health structure.
More recently, from 15 to 28 May 2024 Insecurity Insight documented the following attacks on healthcare facilities in Myanmar:
15 May 2024: In Wea Gyi Daunt Village and village tract, Kyauktaw Township, Mrauk-U District, Rakhine State, a station hospital (primary-level, public) was destroyed and at least 20 civilians, including two nurses and two patients, were injured by bombs dropped by a Myanmar military fighter jet. Among them, five got critical injuries. At the time of the attack, the hospital was operated under the governance of the Arakan Army since their takeover of the town in mid-February 2024. Sources: Development Media Group, Independent Mon News Agency, Khit Thit Media, Khit Thit Media II, Narinjara, New Age and The Tanintharyi Times
16 May 2024: In Gon Hnyin Seik Village and village tract, Thayetchaung Township, Dawei District, Tanintharyi Region, a sub-rural health centre (primary-level, public) and a civilian house were damaged by bombs dropped by the Myanmar military airforce. One civilian was killed and another injured. Sources: Tanintharyi Times and Than Lwin Times
19 May 2024: In Tha Yae Kone Baung Village and village tract, Maungdaw Township and district, Rakhine State, a sub-rural health centre (primary-level, public) and five civilian houses were damaged by bombs dropped by the Myanmar military fighter jets. At least two civilians were injured. Sources: Narinjara and Radio Free Asia
As reported on 21 May 2024: In Na Mee Village and village tract, Indaw Township, Katha District, Sagaing Region, a sub-rural health centre (primary-level, public), a staff house for health workers, a library, a village hall, and a religious building were occupied by a joint force of Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Arakan Army (AA), and People Defence Force (PDF). Source: Facebook
As reported on 22 May 2024: In Takaung Town, Thabeikkyin Township and district, Mandalay Region, a station hospital (primary-level, public) and three monasteries were occupied by the Myanmar military. Source: Mandalay Free Press
Insecurity Insight documents attacks on health workers, facilities and patients for the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC), a group of international nongovernmental organisations working to protect health workers, services and infrastructure.
