Myanmar’s coup d’état and its impact on COVID-19 response: a collapsing healthcare system in a state of turmoil

• Published in: BMJ military health 2023-04, Vol.169 (2), p.103-104
• Main Authors: Rocha, Ian Christopher, Cedeño, T D, Pelayo, M G, Ramos, K, Victoria, H O H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aung San Suu Kyi; Civil disobedience; Coronaviruses; Coups d'etat; COVID-19; COVID-19 diagnostic tests; COVID-19 vaccines; Delivery of Health Care; Democracy; Demonstrations & protests; Editorial; FDA approval; health & safety; health services administration & management; House arrest; Human rights; Humanitarianism; Humans; Immunization; International relations; Min Aung Hlaing; Myanmar - epidemiology; Pandemics; Politics; public health; Violations; Violence
• ISSN: 2633-3767; 2633-3775
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2021-001871

[...]at least 19 government doctors from Naypyitaw, Yangon, Mandalay and other areas in Myanmar have been charged by the junta for their support in the civil disobedience movement, along with a committee of ousted lawmakers.3 In fact, there have been reports of doctors being dismissed from their posts, being arrested and hiding in fear for their lives—signifying a grave breach of humanitarian law.4 8 Moreover, health infrastructures have also been affected. The Grand Hantha International Hospital, for example, which is situated near a police station in Yangon, exploded last 17 April 2021.3 In addition to the collapsed COVID-19 testing and response, the COVID-19 vaccination progress in Myanmar has trickled down since the ousting of Aung San Suu Kyi’s government, as frontline health workers refused to get vaccinated unless there is no involvement from the military junta.8–10 The healthcare system has been disorganised as some health sectors in Myanmar continue to strike along with the uneven boycott system from the public.9 Consequently, the trust in the vaccination process has also declined as a result of the widespread anger at the Myanmar regime, with more of its people refusing to get vaccinated.9 Nonetheless, Min Aung Hlaing, the new de facto head of the government, reported that Myanmar has permitted the import of COVID-19 vaccines from Russia, China and India for both public and private health institutions as approved by the Food and Drug Administration, with the goal of inoculating everyone.11 12 Just when the people needed their government to address the COVID-19 situation in the country, this very unfortunate scenario happened. The ASEAN leaders agreed that the violence in Myanmar should stop immediately, that all parties should engage in meaningful dialogue to find a peaceful solution that benefits the people, that humanitarian aid will be provided in Myanmar and that the COVID-19 ASEAN response fund will be used in procuring vaccines for all member states including Myanmar.14 Faced with the double threat of global health crisis and military coup, not only is Myanmar’s healthcare system facing collapse but also, more importantly, its pursuit of a more democratic government has been shattered. [...]the UN Human Rights Council called for influential states to have an immediate concerted pressure towards the military of Myanmar in order to halt the gross human rights violations in the country.16 The violations include the pitiless violence against th