Displaced Civilians Struggle for Healthcare After Myanmar Junta Airstrike Destroys Arakan Clinic
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and impoverished residents across Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township face a severe health crisis after a military junta airstrike destroyed a local free clinic, according to aid workers and displaced civilians.
Junta jet fighters bombed Saytana Clinic on October 5, killing 18-year-old trainee nurse Ma Khine Thazin Soe at the scene.
The attack completely demolished the facility and destroyed essential medical supplies and equipment, halting free healthcare services for displaced families.
"The public donations and community resources built up over time were destroyed in an instant," said singer Ko R Gyi, the clinic’s founder. "Our capacity to deliver humanitarian assistance has been stripped away. The clinic that served as a lifeline for displaced civilians has been forced to cease operations entirely."
Supported by domestic and international donations, Saytana Clinic provided free medical care to displaced populations across Ponnagyun Township, regardless of ethnicity or religion.
The destruction of the clinic, the killing of a healthcare worker, and the loss of critical medical supplies drew strong condemnation from humanitarian organizations and local community groups.
Displaced residents said the facility's destruction has severely compromised their access to emergency and basic medical treatment.
"Hearing about the bombing of Saytana Clinic was heartbreaking," said a displaced woman in Ponnagyun Township. "It was a facility that offered free treatment to refugees in times of hardship. Now, when people fall ill, accessing care is nearly impossible due to ongoing air raid threats and transport difficulties. We hope donors at home and abroad can help rebuild and reopen the clinic."
The strike on Saytana Clinic—located near Pannilar IDP Camp and Aungphyupyin Village—was part of a 30-minute bombing run on October 5. Just a day prior, junta aircraft bombed the Byarla IDP Camp located between Thayetcho and Yoengu villages, killing six civilians and wounding 10 others.
"The military junta conducts air raids on Ponnagyun Township nearly every day," another displaced woman said. "They are specifically targeting IDP camps and clinics set up to care for refugees. Without the clinic, families facing health emergencies are left in desperate situations."
As conflict continues across Arakan State, junta forces have repeatedly targeted civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, clinics, and schools. On December 10, 2025, a junta airstrike dropped two 500-pound bombs on Mrauk-U Hospital, killing 33 civilians, injuring at least 78 others, and destroying major hospital facilities.
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