ADVISORY COMMISSION ON RAKHINE STATE the country. Another challenge is the poor condition of existing medical infrastructure in most areas of the state. While all communities suffer from inadequate medical services, access to health is particularly low within the Muslim community in the northern and central parts of the state. In some areas, Muslims face discriminative obstacles that prevent available lifesaving services from being accessed. Movement restrictions, but also language difficulties, inability to pay, limited availability of services in IDP camps, as well as the refusal of some health facilities to treat Muslim patients all prevent ready access to health facilities. While IDP camps only have limited capacity for primary care, basic emergency obstetric care, and basic emergency services, the bureaucratic procedures for referral to the Sittwe General Hospital are cumbersome and time-consuming. Recommendations: 38. The Commission reiterates that the Union Government and the Rakhine State Government should ensure – and publicly state – that all communities have equal access to health treatment, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, race, gender, or citizenship status. The authorities should commence the removal of administrative obstacles that impede access to health care. Health facilities should be labelled as “protected zones”, providing a safe environment for those seeking care. 39. The Government should ensure that each village in Rakhine – as a minimum – has access to a full-time community health volunteer who is recognized by the state’s health system, and have referral capacity to the nearest health centre or station hospital. These volunteers should be trained in childhood diseases, maternal and child healthcare and undernutrition, and be able to support the birth registration process. The Government should also recruit one auxiliary midwife per village, and train and hire health staff from each community to be represented in the township level health work force (and provide support for transportation costs and per diems) to expand rural health coverage. 40. The Government should ensure the availability of a standardized list of equipment for each level of medical care, including township hospitals, sub-station hospitals, rural health centres and sub-health centres. The pharmaceutical supply chain management should be standardized according to facility level, and the blood bank system should be expanded. FINAL REPORT 43