Insecurity Insight, who already documented at least 323 attacks on Myanmar’s health system this year till 31 October, has now documented a further 19 attacks from 15 to 28 November 2023.
Between 1 January and 31 October 2023, according to Insecurity Insight, 29 health workers were killed and 123 healthcare facilities were damaged.
Insecurity Insight said: These attacks undermine health care providers ’ability to effectively meet patient needs, maintain safe staffing levels and impact the population’s access to health care.”
Below are the details of the attacks on healthcare between 15 to 28 November, as documented by Insecurity Insight:
As reported on 17 November 2023: In Kyain Seikgyi town, township, and district, Kayin state, a hospital that was taken over and occupied by the Myanmar military on 02 November following clashes between a joint force of ethnic armed groups and local resistance forces and the Myanmar military in the area stopped functioning. From 2 November, the hospital functioned only for limited hours during daytime. Starting from 10 November, the hospital was closed down and local civilians fled in fear of further clashes. Source: Karen Information Centre
17 November 2023: In Minbya town and township, Mrauk-U district, Rakhine state, the operation theatre building of a fully-functioning hospital was severely damaged by artillery fire allegedly launched by the Myanmar military during armed clashes between the Myanmar military and a joint forces of three ethnic armed groups (the Arakan Army, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army). No patients or health worker injuries were reported. After the incident many patients left the hospital, with some relocated to other hospital buildings, and the hospital had to function in a low profile. Sources: Facebook, Narinjara, and NP News
17 November 2023: In Minbya town and township, Mrauk-U district, Rakhine state, an INGO clinic suspended its activities after the operation theatre building of a nearby fully-functioning hospital was severely damaged by artillery fires allegedly launched by the Myanmar military during armed clashes between the Myanmar military and a joint forces of three ethnic armed groups (the Arakan Army, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army). Sources: Facebook, Narinjara and NP News
17 November 2023: In Pauktaw town and township, Sittwe district, Rakhine state, a fully-functioning hospital stopped functioning due to intensifying clashes between ethnic armed groups and the Myanmar military. Pro-democratic media reported that the hospital stopped functioning due to land, air, and navy attacks by the Myanmar military after the town had been taken over by the ethnic armed group. Patients and health workers evacuated from the hospital were reportedly amongst 100 to 200 people banned from leaving the town by the Myanmar military. Pro-military media reported that the hospital had been evacuated and medicines and consumables had been taken away by the ethnic armed groups before the attack. Sources: Development Media Group, Facebook, Radio Free Asia and Telegram
17 November 2023: In Kula village, Ku Lar village tract, Nagzun township, Myingyan district, Mandalay region, a non-CDM-affiliated health assistant and her female companion were taken from a fully-functioning rural health centre by an armed group. Their bodies were found with gunshot wounds on 18 November. The junta accused local resistance forces of this attack. Sources: Facebook, Mizzima and Telegram
17 November 2023: In Maubin town, township, and district, Ayeyarwady region, a 200-bed hospital was occupied by the Myanmar military starting from 17 November 2023 after heightened armed clashes in other states and regions. Source: Ayeyarwaddy Times
17 November 2023: In Pan Hseng town, Muse township and district, Shan state (North), a hospital was damaged in an armed drone attack. There were no casualties since the hospital stopped functioning just before the attack due to heightened clashes in the area. The perpetrator was not reported. Sources: Facebook, Mizzima, and Myanmar Transparency News
18 & 19 November 2023: In Budalin town, township, and district, Sagaing region, a hospital was damaged by artillery fire on 18 November. The same day, health workers at the hospital received warnings from local resistance forces urging them to leave the hospital no later than 1 pm on 19 November. At least 20 health workers, including two doctors, an unspecified number of nurses, a medical superintendent, an X-ray technician and a laboratory technician left, causing patients to flee the hospital. On 19 November, the Myanmar military seized medicines and equipment from the hospital and sealed the building. These events took place after armed clashes between local resistance forces and the Myanmar military in the township. Other public services in the town, including the fire brigade, immigration, and Myanmar economic bank, stopped functioning. Sources: Democratic Voice of Burma, Irrawaddy, Myaelatt Athan, Myanmar Now and Voice of Myanmar
20 November 2023: In an unnamed IDP camp, Demoso township, Loikaw district, Kayah state, a volunteer female medic and ten elderly civilians were severely injured by bombs dropped from jet fighter(s) by the Myanmar military. Source: Kantarawaddy Times
20 November 2023: In Namhkan town and township, Muse district, Shan state (North), a hospital was entered by Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) fighters. Pro-democracy media reported that nurses were forcefully asked to provide medicine to the armed group, leading some to leave their duty station. In addition, TNLA soldiers were reportedly receiving treatment at the hospital and allegedly occupying it. Sources: Facebook, Shan News and Shwe Phee Myay News Agency
21 November 2023: In Nat Ye village, Kyauk Htu town, Saw township, Gangaw district, Magway region, a defence service nurse and her Myanmar military soldier husband were arrested by the military from their home with accusations of links to local resistance forces. Source: Zalen
22 November 2023: In Taze town and township, Ye-U district, Sagaing region, a hospital, staff houses, police station, and a football ground occupied by the Myanmar military were attacked by local resistance forces who seized medicines and weapons. Artillery was reportedly launched at the hospital building. The hospital was functioning before armed clashes in the township. Sources: Mizzima, Myanmar Now, Myanmar Pressphoto Agency, VOA Burmese and Voice of Myanmar
As reported on 23 November 2023: In Kawkareik town, township, and district, Kayin state, a 100-bed hospital was closed down after most health workers left their duty station due to a warning issued by the Karen National Union (KNU) on 17 November 2023, urging government servants to leave the town. Source: Myanmar Pressphoto Agency
23 November 2023: In Mawlamyine town, township, and district, Mon state, a male pharmacy owner and another male civilian were arrested by the Myanmar military on accusations of providing support to local resistance forces. Source: Myanmar Pressphoto Agency
24 November 2023: In Salingyi town and township, Yinmabin district, Sagaing region, a hospital, police station, and general administrative office occupied by the Myanmar military were attacked by local resistance forces using small firearms. The hospital was functioning before the heightened armed clashes in Myanmar. Sources: Mizzima and Myanmar Pressphoto Agency
25 November 2023: In Loikaw town, township, and district, Kayah state, LNGOs were banned from provision of ambulance, rescue and relocation services. The service was restricted from 11 November after armed clashes broke out in the town. Sources: Myanmar Pressphoto Agency and Radio Free Asia
26 November 2023: In Salingyi town and township, Yinmabin district, Sagaing region, a hospital occupied by at least 150 Myanmar military soldiers was attacked by local resistance forces, using small firearms. Source: Democratic Voice of Burma
26 November 2023: In Man Awng village and village tract, Namhkam township, Muse district, Shan state (North), the buildings of a hospital were severely damaged and a female hospital guard and a child were injured due to bombs dropped from jet fighter(s) by the Myanmar military. The hospital was newly built in 2020 but was not functional due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 military coup. Sources: Irrawaddy, Myanmar Now and Radio Free Asia
As reported on 28 November 2023: In Namhkan town and township, Muse district, Shan state (North), most health workers left a hospital and patients had to seek health care elsewhere after wounded Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) members were treated by TNLA medics at the hospital and some TNLA soldiers positioned themselves at the hospital for security reason. Source: Democratic Voice of Burma
28 November 2023: In Taze town and township, Ye-U district, Sagaing region, a hospital , police station, general administrative office, and football ground occupied by the Myanmar military were attacked by local resistance forces. The Myanmar military used artillery and airforce in the clashes. Source: Radio Free Asi
