“Health Means Life”: Access to Care Brings Hope in Tada U Township

When the earthquake struck central Myanmar in March 2025, homes and hospitals alike were damaged. But for many people, the deeper shock came after; the struggle to access even the most basic health care. For those already living with chronic conditions, the disaster compounded an impossible choice: medicine or food.

   
U Than Hla (name changed) receiving free essential health services at WHO health partner mobile clinic

“I couldn’t afford to regularly buy the medicine,” said U Than Hla (name changed), a 70-year-old retired railway worker who has lived with diabetes for two decades. “Sometimes, I had to choose between feeding my family or paying for treatment.”

Without proper medication, his illness worsened. A foot ulcer led to the loss of several toes. When another ulcer appeared, doctors warned he might face another amputation. Then came the earthquake, cutting him off from what little medical support was left. “I felt like my life was closing in on me,” he recalled.

But in April 2025, hope arrived in Tada U Township. WHO Myanmar’s health partner set up mobile clinics to deliver free essential health services. For the first time in years, people like U Than Hla were able to see a doctor regularly, receive their medications free of charge, and learn how to better manage their conditions.

Over the past four months, more than 4,000 patients in Tada U Township have received check-ups, medicines, and follow-up care. Many, like Daw Khin Mya (name changed), a 70-year-old woman battling diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, have seen their health improve dramatically.

   
U Than Hla (name changed) receiving free essential health services at WHO health partner mobile clinic

“Before, I often had to stop taking my medicine because it was too expensive. My body became weaker, and I depended on emergency care. I had to spend almost 30,000 kyats a month just for drugs,” she explained. “Since the mobile clinic opened, I no longer worry about running out of treatment. I feel stronger now, and I can take care of myself.”

For her, the clinic meant more than just medicine. It meant relief from the crushing financial burden of choosing between health and survival. “This free care helps me manage my illness and allows my family to spend on food and other needs,” she said.

WHO Myanmar played a vital role in making this possible. When medicine stocks ran dangerously low in the early weeks after the disaster, WHO facilitated the delivery of essential drugs such as metformin, gliclazide, and antihypertensives. WHO also provided technical guidance to ensure the clinics could manage not only physical health conditions but also mental health and psychosocial needs.

“The supply of medicines from WHO allowed us to stabilize patients quickly,” explained one mobile clinic health worker. “We saw ulcers heal, blood pressure come down, and patients gain confidence to live their lives again.”

The impact is visible. Patients who once lived in fear of complications are now walking with renewed strength. Families that used to worry about affording treatment can now focus on rebuilding their lives.

For U Than Hla, the difference is clear: “The clinic saved me from losing more of my foot. I can walk again, I can eat with my family, and I can live without fear. My friend with the same disease died early because he couldn’t get proper treatment. But I am still here. I am still standing.”

Amidst the challenges of disaster recovery, these clinics show what is possible when care is accessible, continuous, and compassionate. They are a reminder that health is not a luxury—it is life itself.