In an exclusive interview with DVB following the announcement of the 13th Okinawa Peace Prize, Dr. Cynthia Maung, founder and director of the Mae Tao Clinic, reflected on the clinic’s recognition as the first non-Japanese recipient in the award’s history.
Dr. Cynthia Maung emphasized that the award honors the collective struggle of the Myanmar people for human rights, dignity, and democratic reform amid escalating conflict and displacement along the Thai-Myanmar border.
“The recognition of the struggle of the Myanmar people towards human rights, human security, and a collaborative approach is being recognized by the Okinawa Peace Prize,” she said.
“On behalf of our struggle for democracy, human rights, and peace for Myanmar, Mae Tao Clinic accepts this award.”
Surging Border Displacement and Medical Collapse
Dr. Cynthia Maung detailed how the healthcare and humanitarian landscape has degraded since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar.
Displaced civilians along the border basin and eastern Myanmar have expanded from roughly 300,000 prior to 2021 to an estimated 1-1.5 million people today, forcing cross-border medical networks to drastically scale up operations.
“Since 2021, the health system in Myanmar is almost destroyed,” she noted.
“Our health workers working along the border, especially in ethnic areas, can no longer access international humanitarian support through the inside. Most of our services have to go through cross-border operations.”
The collapse of internal public health infrastructure and active military bombardments have created severe, wide-ranging health impacts across the border population:
- Maternal and Child Health Crisis: Interrupted health services have severely restricted access to safe delivery facilities and antenatal care. “Many women still deliver in areas that are not safe enough, facing emergency obstetric complications,” Dr. Cynthia Maung explained. “Many women are crossing the border from Myanmar to access emergency services, meaning Thai hospitals are also facing challenges.”
- Resurgence of Preventable Diseases: Disrupted supply chains and living conditions have triggered sharp rises in childhood malnutrition, diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria, and drug-resistant tuberculosis, alongside interrupted routine childhood immunizations.
- Psychosocial Trauma and Youth Risks: Escalating airstrikes, drone attacks, and forced military conscription laws have driven waves of young people across the border. “Because of airstrikes or drone attacks, many children are traumatized and suffer from mental illness,” Dr. Cynthia Maung said, warning that undocumented youth face heightened risks from human trafficking, exploitation, and illegal border trade.
Redefining Human Security and International Action
Addressing the Okinawa Peace Prize Committee’s emphasis on “human security,” Dr. Cynthia stressed that healthcare cannot be separated from broader social determinants such as education, child protection, and legal rights.
“Human security simply means safety and dignity for all, especially protecting the most vulnerable people,” Dr. Cynthia Maung said.
“All these population issues—health, education, protection—cannot be separated. People suffer from violence and discrimination, and without breaking this cycle of oppression, we cannot move forward.”
Dr. Cynthia Maung confirmed that the 10 million Japanese yen ($62,000 USD) prize will be directed toward empowering young leaders, building institutional capacity, and ensuring service continuity.
She urged international stakeholders, civil society, and Japanese partners to deepen direct engagement with grassroots border networks to build long-term, sustainable support systems.
“Some Myanmar people may feel forgotten or neglected as the war situation gets more tense,” Dr. Cynthia Maung reflected.
“Through this award, we hope the Japanese community, medical volunteers, and politicians will raise awareness about the plight of our people and their commitment to peace and democracy. This award belongs to all of us.”
Watch our 2023 report on Mae Tao Clinic and Dr. Cynthia Maung on DVB English News YouTube:
