Doctor transferred for warning of health hazards from tin factory

IMNA
February 22, 2006

A doctor in Three Pagoda pass who submitted a report demanding the shifting of a tin processing company because effluents it discharged would cause serious physical and mental disease to residents has been transferred.

The Three Pagoda Pass medical practitioner informed the Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) about the health hazards to residents of the Township because of the tin-cleaning factory nearby.

Dr Soe Win was summarily transferred to Pathein Township , Ayeyawaddy Division to take care of Pathein prisoners.

The township doctor submitted a report to TPDC and also informed the health department in Karen State because the TPDC did not accept his submission, according to a source close to the doctor.

“He along with his medical team had investigated the discharge of effluents from the tin company three times because the residents had requested him to inspect the tin company,” according to the source.

The residents are unhappy because the doctor was transferred because he had suggested that the tin company be shifted, said Nai Shwan a resident of Three Pagoda Pass.

“The entire issue is known in Rangoon , but the doctor does not know why exactly he was transferred” the source added.

The doctor had said that the tin company should be shifted because it was too close to residential premises and could damage resident's health. People can be affected by cancer, headaches, deafness, respiratory problems and the foetus can be damaged in pregnant women from the smell that emanates from the factory. The Tin Company is located in the area on a higher ground.

Incidentally, the tin company did not get permission from the Southeast Commander and TPDC. But they got clearance from the municipal department and the head quarters of the town, the source said. The Thai- Burmese company started operations in the second week of January.

“But they continue to run the tin company without permission,” the source added.