Landmine injuries, and injuries from other found explosive remnants of war (ERW), place an enormous burden on public health and social services.
When compared to other injuries landmine casualties usually require multiple surgeries and larger quantities of blood transfusions.
Recovery from a landmine injury is not swift and usually requires long hospital stays.
Limb loss is not uncommon and in those injuries, once they are in recovery, the amputee will need to be provided with a prosthetic limb. Prosthetic limbs require repairs and replacements over the rest of the mine victims lifetime.
Even with an artificial limb, they may be unable to return to their former occupation. This requires vocational assistance. The mine victim may also need to access psycho-social counseling for trauma involving being the victim of the actions of another human being.
In its current state, Myanmar’s public health system can rarely provide all the above. Especially immediate live saving medical care after the injury. These costs can crush rural families leading to impoverishment for the entire household.
This infographic is from data collected by the Landmine Monitor. Production by the Myanmar Information Management Unit (MIMU). It is available for download here.
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