MER-C Pleads Combating Parties in Myanmar to Respect Hospitals as Neutral Grounds

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chairman of the Presidium of the Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) Sarbini Abdul Murad urged all parties to the conflict in Myanmar to respect hospitals as neutral grounds, including the Indonesian Hospital in Rakhine State.

"We hope that all parties respect hospitals as neutral places and are not used for combat which violates the Geneva Convention on the neutrality of hospitals and medical workers," Sarbini said in a written statement on Monday, March 25, 2024.

The Indonesian Hospital in Rakhine, built by MER-C, has been forced to stop operating for the past four months due to clashes between Myanmar's military junta and the Arakan Army (AA) around the hospital. Sarbini said the doctors and nurses did not dare to stay in the hospital.

"Because the fighting is also close to the village near the hospital, many people seek refuge outside the village," he said.

AA targeted Myanmar junta headquarters including frontier outposts this weekend, as fighting continued on the Bangladesh border in Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State, according to a report by Myanmar media The Irrawaddy on Monday.

The rebel army said yesterday that they targeted the Kyein Chaung border camp and parts of the stronghold had been seized.

The attack began on the position nearly a month ago, The Irrawaddy reported. The AA reportedly seized the Yan Aung Myin outpost last Saturday, as well as confiscating weapons and ammunition. AA said they also attacked the Taman Thar border outpost and claimed more than 20 soldiers were killed while trying to escape.

Sarbini requested that the Indonesian Hospital reopen immediately so that it can function as a health service. He called on the disputing parties to back off and not involve the hospital in the center of the conflict.

MER-C handed over the Indonesian Hospital in Rakhine to the Myanmar government through the Myanmar Ministry of Health and Sports in the capital city of Nay Pyi Taw on December 10, 2019. After the construction, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) provided medical equipment for the hospital.

MER-C said the hospital, which was built by Muslims and Buddhists from Indonesia, is aimed to encourage peace in Myanmar.

Myanmar has been plunged into chaos since the military junta staged a coup in February 2021. The junta seized power from an elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, a Burmese politician who won elections in 2015 and held a position equivalent to prime minister.

NABIILA AZZAHRA A. | THE IRRAWADDY

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