Dr. Ye was living a life many young people in Myanmar would envy: working as a doctor in London. However, when the military seized power in February 2021, it left him reeling with survivors’ guilt as he watched from a distance while peaceful pro-democracy protests turned into an armed uprising. After a failed suicide attempt, he decided to return to Myanmar to physically participate in the revolution.
In April 2022, Dr. Ye traveled to Kayah State, a “liberated area” where anti-coup armed groups were active. This decision caused a rift in his family, as his father was an official in the regime’s prison department and threatened him with arrest.
As a paediatrician, Dr. Ye played a crucial role in treating children displaced by the conflict and providing temporary war medic services. He faced the challenge of stabilizing vital signs, checking blood pressure, and heart rate for patients injured in the conflict.
Dr. May, a general practitioner, also chose to stay in Kayah despite the danger. She mentioned sleeping in a bomb shelter during the worst conflict times and explained how her hospital was targeted by an air raid.
Patients with severe injuries from air attacks and landmines relied on healthcare facilities in Kayah. Nurses and medics, some of whom were former high school students and trainee nurses, worked tirelessly to treat patients and extract wounded soldiers from the battlefield.
Despite the hostile and terrifying environment, Dr. Ye found a sense of fulfillment and greater understanding in Kayah. He expressed his hope for greater ethnic unity after the revolution and emphasized his commitment to helping with Myanmar’s rehabilitation post-war.
Dr. Ye’s story is just one example of the sacrifices made by healthcare professionals and civilians in Kayah, signaling the urgent need for international attention and support for the people of Myanmar.