Burma Human Rights Network’s report: “We also have dreams” Medical Needs Medical care in the refugee camps is another extremely difficult task for the agencies responsible for providing care. Half of the refugees BHRN spoke to said they had access to medical supplies but listed several problems in the process. Most refugees receive medical supplies when they seek treatment but many have said the care and types of medicine they are given are inadequate, such as paracetamol being given for serious ailments. On top of this, when refugees have more serious health concerns they may have to seek treatment outside of the camps, which is often a long, expensive, and sometimes humiliating ordea where refugees are looked down on or scolded by Bangladeshi staff. Several refugees complained that staff in Bangladeshi hospitals treated them poorly or rushed them through treatment. Despite the enormous difficulties of providing medical aid to over a million people, the goal of improving the quality of available healthcare is worth pursuing. This may require more clinics in the camps and more staff that can properly diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. Bangladesh and NGOs operating in the field should also consider working closely with community hospitals towards an approach that would better cover the cost of treatment and foster a sense of understanding and compassion with the refugee population.While local NGOs have picked up a great deal of cost for medical needs, the UN and supportive countries could work towards a system to better cover the costs of care for refugees who need to seek treatment outside of the camps for surgery or other www.bhrn.org.uk 13