For a week now, the Irrawaddy River Doctors have been traveling without their beloved Polli, the floating hospital ship. Due to the lockdown in Myanmarwhich has been extended until May 31, we are currently unable to sail our usual route. Travel on large ships is not permitted and no one is currently allowed to leave their home town or village. However, we have received a special permit and can bring the necessary medical aid to the isolated villages in the delta on a smaller scale. Every day, our team travels to the villages with two small boats and basic medical equipment and treats people in monasteries or schools.

We treated 609 patients in the first week, with over 100 people a day in some cases. We equipped the team with an initial delivery of protective clothing, where available. Everything that was missing was quickly made, sewn or built by ourselves. Of course, precautionary measures are also being taken during treatment and the population is being informed about Covid-19. Some really dramatic cases came to our doctors, so it was high time we were able to resume our work. We are very proud of our courageous team, which has adapted to the new situation at lightning speed and is facing up to the new challenges.