Nurses And Doctors In Myanmar Evicted From Hostels After Owners Panic Over COVID-19

Stranded healthcare workers in Mandalay


Image adapted from: Natalie Keyssar

We would have thought that doctors and nurses would be treated with the utmost respect in the time of COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, that’s not the case in Mandalay, Myanmar

Image credit: Frontier Myanmar

After people tested positive for the virus in Myanmar, panic and fear spread across Mandalay, the nation’s former capital. 

Thus, many landlords and hostel owners have decided to evict their tenants who are doctors and nurses as they are deemed “high-risk”. 

One nurse from Mandalay General Hospital told The Irrawaddy that the landlord lied to her and her friend, not other guests, about the hostel being closed when it really was just in an attempt to make them leave. 

In Myanmar, young healthcare workers who work far from home are likely to end up staying in private hostels as Public Health is unable to provide them with accommodations. 

Luckily, many hostels and hotels – such as Oway Hotel, located in the heart of the city -have opened their doors for these healthcare workers, only charging them minimum rates as soon as the story got out.


Myanmar has 5 cases of COVID-19


Image credit: Bangkok Post 

Just about 2 weeks ago, Myanmar’s government assured the nation that they had 0 COVID-19 patients. However, 5 cases of infections have been reported since then. 

According to the Ministry of Health and Sports, 20 other people are being suspected of having the virus.

Fear and panic never help in situations like this, instead, we must stay calm and support each other, especially if they’re healthcare workers who are the frontline soldiers in this dire time. 

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Eddie Jirayu: