The tumors that persisted in her chest were excised thrice before Noor Saimun, a Rohingya refugee in , underwent cancer testing. By the time the diagnosis was made, the cancer had already metastasized from her breast to various parts of her body.
Saimun now spends her days immobilized by excruciating pain, confined to the floor of her bamboo shelter. In her vicinity, numerous neighbors battle different types of non-communicable and chronic diseases – including cancers, diabetes, and hypertension – yet they often forego treatment and essential tools for managing their conditions.
“My existence feels futile; I’m trapped in agony, unable to move or function,” expresses Saimun. “I linger here in torment, unable to even rise for a meal. My entire day is spent bedridden. The intensity of my suffering is indescribable.”
This week, the [Country] population faces escalated risks of cardiovascular ailments, cancer, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), accounting for over 70% of global mortality.
Research suggests that the likelihood of strokes and heart attacks triples following a disaster, underscoring the necessity of integrating care and interventions for NCDs as a standard component of humanitarian emergency readiness and response.
The Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar district, Bangladesh, house a million individuals, with no immediate prospects of returning to Myanmar, where they were displaced by military actions. For those grappling with chronic illnesses, challenges include dwindling funds leading to medication shortages, struggles in accessing adequate nutrition to prevent or manage health conditions, and a deficiency in healthcare services capable of diagnosing their ailments.
“People enduring NCDs during humanitarian crises are at higher risk of deteriorating health due to trauma, stress, or the inability to access essential medications or services,” notes Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization.
For Saimun, the journey to receiving a cancer diagnosis was fraught with three surgeries and a misdiagnosis of tuberculosis from camp clinics. Only after securing funds and permissions to travel 25 miles to a hospital in Cox’s Bazar town did she receive the definitive cancer diagnosis.
However, chemotherapy facilities were solely accessible at a hospital in Chattogram, a daunting 100 miles away. While initial rounds were funded through loans from neighbors, Saimun couldn’t afford the fourth and final trip.
The restrictions on movement and employment outside the camps exacerbate the challenges of managing chronic illnesses compared to their circumstances in Myanmar. Despite facing persecution from the military, the Rohingya in Myanmar had better access to nutritious food and led more active lives in rural settings.
The camps, which burgeoned into the largest globally in 2017 following genocidal acts by the Myanmar military, sprawl with many residents in dire straits. Reductions in aid have impacted both food provisions and healthcare services, with the latter only receiving in 2023. Internal crime surges within the camps, coupled with restrictions on internal transportation, hinder patients’ access to healthcare services.
While the majority of Rohingya aspire to return home, they demand assurances of safety and the restoration of their [Cultural Term]. Myanmar, however, grapples with widespread , particularly in Rakhine state, the recent site of clashes involving the rebel Arakan Army.
In response, the Myanmar military has in their confrontation with the Arakan Army, representing Rakhine state’s other predominant ethnic group, the Rakhine.
Bangladeshi authorities acknowledge the daunting challenge of managing the enduring refugee crisis, especially amidst dwindling aid, emphasizing the need for dignified and voluntary repatriation. They critique the global community for neglecting the Rohingya crisis, citing insufficient pressure from influential nations like the US and UK to safeguard the Rohingya’s well-being.
Many Rohingya grappling with chronic illnesses attribute their health struggles to camp life, citing restricted mobility and employment opportunities that foster idleness, coupled with inadequate access to nourishing food that heightens health risks.
Abul Hossain, aged 41, recounts a period in Myanmar where his work as a fisherman and farmer alleviated his diabetes symptoms, diagnosed in 2019, two years post his refugee status. However, upon returning to Bangladesh, he experiences a resurgence of symptoms, including frequent urination and bouts of weakness.
Hossain’s prescribed metformin intake to regulate blood sugar levels falls short due to limited supply, exacerbating his predicament. He laments the distressing camp environment that contributes to his depression, likening camp life to an open prison with restricted movement and limited resources.
Heeding medical advice for regular eye and kidney screenings remains a financial challenge, compounded by the absence of personal blood-testing equipment and the clinic’s monthly testing restrictions.
Jennifer Stella, the Médecins Sans Frontières project medical referent at Jamtoli refugee camp, highlights the organization’s efforts in treating thousands amidst overarching limitations in healthcare access and infrastructure within the camps, especially for individuals with chronic conditions or elderly patients.
While acknowledging some of the Rohingya’s grievances, a study revealed that 89% lacked physical activity in their daily routines, with nearly a quarter failing to consume sufficient fruits and vegetables, exacerbating the risk factors for NCDs.
Sajida, aged 38, diagnosed with diabetes, struggles to adhere to a healthier diet due to limited rations that inadequately cover essential nutritional needs. Funding cuts impacting food provisions by the World Food Programme have constrained dietary choices, often compromising protein and fiber intake, leaving individuals reliant on rice for sustenance.
The global landscape witnesses a surge in health crises affecting populations, with the WHO responding to 65 health emergencies in 2023, up from 40 in 2013. UNHCR issued 43 emergency declarations to bolster support in 29 countries, marking a peak in decades.
“The camp presents myriad challenges; the disparity between our lives in Myanmar and here is staggering. While we had abundance in Myanmar, here we are confined to our tents. Fresh and nutritious food was plentiful there – fish, fruits, meat. Here, fresh produce comes at a cost we can’t afford,” laments Sajida.
She underscores the financial constraints hindering her compliance with medical advice for a balanced diet, exercise, and stress management, given the limited resources available within the camp. The prescribed dietary adjustments remain unattainable due to financial constraints, compelling her to subsist mainly on rice, lentils, and occasional dried fish, resulting in monotonous meal patterns.