Doctors Without Borders staff distribute medication to patients during a mobile clinic delivering primary health care to Rohingya communities.
Doctors Without Borders is alarmed by a sudden escalation in the security situation in Hpakant, Kachin state. We are hearing reports from our colleagues that the town has gone almost empty as thousands of civilians have fled the area, no healthcare facilities are available and nearly all shops have shut.
Due to the inability to ensure the safety of our staff, we have decided to suspend all medical humanitarian services as of September 20th. These much-needed services included HIV/TB medications and treatment and we are acutely aware of the impact this will have on people's health.. Our primary concern is for the patients living in the area and its surrounding neighborhoods who depend on life-saving treatments, many of whom are now at risk of running out of vital medications.
We urge all parties to the conflict to respect the protected nature of healthcare facilities and healthcare providers as per their obligations under international humanitarian law.
