Residents of villages in Ngape Township, Magway Region, most of whom are from the Asho Chin ethnic group are unable to get medicines to test for and treat malaria, due to junta blockades.

Outbreaks of malaria began about three months ago  in the villages, which are mainly inhabited by people from the Asho Chin ethnic group. The malaria outbreak has caused deaths and people have contracted malaria in all the villages, but the exact numbers of deaths and affected villagers is not yet known.

For the last five months, since June 2024, the junta has prohibited the transport of medication to the villages, though it still allows food and supplies to go to the villages.

A villager from Ngape Township said: “Bamar people often refer to us as the hill tribe Chin groups. Each year in our Chin villages, seasonal cases of malaria rise. In the past, villagers would travel to Padan Town in Ngape Township to purchase malaria test kits, medicines, and medical equipment. However, due to the junta's blockades, there is now a shortage of these medicines in Padan. After the junta alleged that resistance forces are active around Padan, it closed all drug import routes, making it impossible for us to buy malaria drugs.”

He further explained: “The junta accused the resistance forces of buying and transporting medicines, which led it to enforce these harsh restrictions. Even if pharmacies have medicine, they fear the junta and won’t sell it. As a result, villagers cannot buy necessary medicine anywhere. In the local villages, an average of five to ten people in each are suffering from malaria.”

Asho Chin villages in the area currently suffering outbreaks of malaria include Gokegyi, Laythar, Bonebaw, Satsi, Kanmyintkan, Laing, Mahtone, and Wetsarkyin in Ngape Township and other Asho Chin villages in Minhla and Mindon townships, according to locals.