Every month, our project manager in Myanmar Su Myat Oo (called Su Su) sends us a summary of the activities at the Irrawaddy River Doctors and at the mother and child center. She also gives us an insight into the current situation in the politically unstable Myanmar and the impact this is having on the local people.

We reproduce her impressive report in the original English language. Here are her observations for the month of March:

Dear Dr. Veronika,

I hope you are fine and healthy. Here is the monthly report for our March Trip. It had finished safely and successfully on March ^23rd. During the trip our team continued to provide the medical treatment for 15 villages, although the situation in Myanmar is still very difficult.

According to the March trip schedule, our team started on March^1st for 22 days. According to ICD result, we got the total amount 1979 patients. This includes children and adults (73 % general patients and 27 % dental patients). 56 pregnant women came for AN care check-ups. We did 39 laboratory test for AN care women and 144 of laboratory test for the other patients. And total number of 574 children (under 15 years) visited the boat for medical treatment and including dental treatment. 21 children under five came as well. Additionally we were able to deworme 290 children.

The mein reasons for the treatments were: ocoughing, respiratory infection, headache, Malaria, Dengue, Hepatitis, Syphilis, HIV, diabetes mellitus disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, Arthropathies, joint swelling, joint pain, and e.g., neck pain, lumbar back pain, kidney disease, prostate disease, pregnancy (AN Care), puerperium, symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, Blood test and stomachache.

The dental team continued to help patients related with dental caries, periodontitis, gingivitis, sometimes oral ulcer and tongue ulcer due to sharp edges of the teeth, root rests, and many more. For the Filling procedure, composite filling, glass inomer filling as temporary and sometimes Zinc Oxide eugenol were used as medicated filling etc.

Now, our team already started for the April trip. We will get 10 working days and visit 8 villages. It is abit shorter than usual as we plan a) to repair our boat at Dockyard in Yangon which should be done before the Myanmar water festival Holiday. B) during dockyard time, our medical team will provide the medical treatment for refugees - IDPs Camp in Wett In Pauk village, Hlegu Township, Yangon Region. Also, the last year in this time we've done medical treatment for them. We think, we have to spend two days and we prepare to distribute some medicine, Toothpaste & Toothbrush, Mosquito repellent lotion and disinfectant soaps for IDPs camp.

I would like to say many thanks to Artemed Stiftung and all donors for your continue support and love for Myanmar. God bless you all more and more.

With Respect,

Su Su @ Myanmar

With Best regards,

Su Su

News from the Mother and Child Center, Bogale

In February, 12 babies were born in our MCC. All were born healthy. A total of 189 women visited the center for check-ups - a new record number. A further 9 came for follow-up checks and 6 for other gynecological complaints.

All 12 babies were examined as a precaution. Nine of them were found to be slightly underweight, but this should improve over the next few weeks. The parents were asked to bring their children for a follow-up examination.

Take a look at our baby gallery: all children born at the MCC are welcomed here.