At the beginning of September, Managing Director Veronika Hofmann-Valet and Michael Kneis (AFM Managing Director) traveled together to Myanmarto renew the employment contracts of their local colleagues and discuss a number of points with the team. There was also a meeting in Yangon with the Swimming Doctors, whose boat and medical operations will be taken over by Artemed Stiftung from October(we reported). At the event, both the Swimming Doctors team and the Irrawaddy River Doctors were presented with an Oscar for their fantastic work under incredibly difficult circumstances.

During the visit, it was also noted that an increasing number of old people and children with malnutrition have been coming onto the boats in recent months. The reason for this is probably the extreme rise in the price of rice, for example, which means that most people in the delta have too little to eat. Hardly anyone can afford vegetables or meat. In addition, hardly anyone has the money to afford the expensive trips to the cities to see a doctor, as the price of petrol has risen dramatically or diesel is no longer available(we reported). So all the sick, even those with more serious illnesses, come to the Irrawaddy River Doctorsto be treated. This leads to a sharp increase in the number of patients (currently over 2,500 patients per month), which also requires vast amounts of medication(we reported), and the team is reaching the limits of its capacity - both in terms of personnel and finances.

The visit by the team from Germany was therefore extremely important, above all to signal to the colleagues in Myanmar that they can continue to count on the support and recognition of the foundation. In addition, the impressions gained on site are essential for Ms. Hofmann-Valet and Mr. Kneis to be able to correctly assess the situation there.