Mae Tao Clinic highlights Thai-Myanmar border crisis after winning Okinawa Peace Prize

Dr. Cynthia Maung, the founder of Mae Tao Clinic, received an Honorary Doctorate in ASEAN Studies from Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, Thailand, on March 11, 2025. (Credit: Cynthia Maung)

In an exclusive interview with DVB following the announcement of the 13th Okinawa Peace Prize, Dr. Cynthia Maung, founder and director of the Mae Tao Clinic, reflected on the clinic’s recognition as the first non-Japanese recipient in the award’s history.

Dr. Cynthia Maung emphasized that the award honors the collective struggle of the Myanmar people for human rights, dignity, and democratic reform amid escalating conflict and displacement along the Thai-Myanmar border.

“The recognition of the struggle of the Myanmar people towards human rights, human security, and a collaborative approach is being recognized by the Okinawa Peace Prize,” she said.

“On behalf of our struggle for democracy, human rights, and peace for Myanmar, Mae Tao Clinic accepts this award.”

Surging Border Displacement and Medical Collapse

Dr. Cynthia Maung detailed how the healthcare and humanitarian landscape has degraded since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar.

Displaced civilians along the border basin and eastern Myanmar have expanded from roughly 300,000 prior to 2021 to an estimated 1-1.5 million people today, forcing cross-border medical networks to drastically scale up operations.

“Since 2021, the health system in Myanmar is almost destroyed,” she noted.

“Our health workers working along the border, especially in ethnic areas, can no longer access international humanitarian support through the inside. Most of our services have to go through cross-border operations.”